arm¹ (ärm)

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[Middle English, from Old English earm.]

noun 

1. An upper limb of the human body, connecting the hand and wrist to the shoulder.
2. A part similar to a human arm, such as the forelimb of an animal or a long part projecting from a central support in a machine.
3. Something, such as a sleeve on a garment or a support on a chair, that is designed to cover or support the human arm.
4. A relatively narrow extension jutting out from a large mass: an arm of the sea. See synonyms at branch
5. An administrative or functional branch, as of an organization.
6. Power or authority: the long arm of the law.
7. Sports The skill of throwing or pitching a ball well.

idioms

an arm and a leg

An excessively high price: a cruise that cost an arm and a leg.

arm in arm

With arms linked together: They walked across the beach arm in arm.

at arm's length

At such a distance that physical or social contact is discouraged: kept the newcomer at arm's length at first.

with open arms

With great cordiality and hospitality.

derivatives

armed

adjective

arm² (ärm)

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[From Middle English armes, weapons, from Old French pl. of arme, weapon, from Latin arma, weapons, V., Middle English armen, from Old French armer, from Latin armāre, from arma.]

noun 

1. A weapon, especially a firearm: troops bearing arms; ICBMs, bombs, and other nuclear arms.
2. A branch of a military force: infantry, armor, and other combat arms.
3. 1. Warfare: a call to arms against the invaders.
   2. Military service: several million volunteers under arms; the profession of arms.
4. 1. Heraldry Bearings.
   2. Insignia, as of a state, an official, a family, or an organization.

verb: armed, arm·ing, arms. 

intransitive verb 

1. To supply or equip oneself with weaponry.
2. To prepare oneself for warfare or conflict.

transitive verb 

1. To equip with weapons: armed themselves with loaded pistols; arm a missile with a warhead; arm a nation for war.
2. To equip with what is needed for effective action: tax advisers who were armed with the latest forms.
3. To provide with something that strengthens or protects: a space reentry vehicle that was armed with a ceramic shield.
4. To prepare (a weapon) for use or operation, as by releasing a safety device.

idioms

up in arms

Extremely upset; indignant.

derivatives

armed

adjective

arḿer

noun

abbreviation 

adjustable-rate mortgage

noun 

A mortgage whose interest rate is raised or lowered at periodic intervals according to the prevailing interest rates in the market. Also called variable-rate mortgage