disarm

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to take a weapon or the means of attack away from a person or group

   The officer persuaded the gunman to surrender and then disarmed him.

2. 2
   verb

   to reduce or give up military weapons or forces

   Both countries agreed to disarm under international supervision.

3. 3
   verb

   to deactivate an alarm, explosive, or security system

   She entered the code to disarm the alarm before opening the door.

4. 4
   verb

   to make someone less hostile, suspicious, or angry

   His candid apology disarmed even his harshest critic.

From Middle English desarmen, from Anglo-Norman desarmer, formed with des- (the source of English dis-) + armer ("to arm"). The figurative sense developed from removing physical defenses to removing hostility or suspicion.

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