arms

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A visual design composed according to heraldic rules, normally displayed upon an escutcheon and sometimes accompanied by other elements of an achievement

   The arms of England are: gules, three lions passant gardant or.

2. 2
   verb

   third-person singular simple present indicative of arm

   If the Duke arms himself for war, the king will not sit by idly!

3. 3
   noun

   the official symbols of a family, state, etc.

4. 4
   noun

   weapons considered collectively

5. 5
   noun

   Weaponry, weapons.

6. 6
   noun

   plural of arm

Etymology

From Middle English armes, from Old French armes, from Latin arma (“weapons”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂er-mo-, a suffixed form of *h₂er- (“to fit together”), hence ultimately cognate with etymology 2.