Search Result for "arm\'s length":

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Arms \Arms\, n. pl. [OE. armes, F. arme, pl. armes, fr. L. arma, pl., arms, orig. fittings, akin to armus shoulder, and E. arm. See Arm, n.] 1. Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. [1913 Webster] He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. --Milton. [1913 Webster] Three horses and three goodly suits of arms. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster] 2. The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. "Arms and the man I sing." --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 3. (Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon. --Cowell. Blackstone. [1913 Webster] 4. (Her.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son. [1913 Webster] 5. (Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot. --Halliwell. [1913 Webster] Bred to arms, educated to the profession of a soldier. In arms, armed for war; in a state of hostility. Small arms, portable firearms known as muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, etc. A stand of arms, a complete set for one soldier, as a musket, bayonet, cartridge box and belt; frequently, the musket and bayonet alone. To arms! a summons to war or battle. Under arms, armed and equipped and in readiness for battle, or for a military parade. [1913 Webster] Arm's end, Arm's length, Arm's reach. See under Arm. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Arm \Arm\, n. [AS. arm, earm; akin to OHG. aram, G., D., Dan., & Sw. arm, Icel. armr, Goth. arms, L. armus arm, shoulder, and prob. to Gr. ? joining, joint, shoulder, fr. the root ? to join, to fit together; cf. Slav. rame. ?. See Art, Article.] 1. The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey. [1913 Webster] 2. Anything resembling an arm; as, (a) The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear. (b) A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an invertebrate animal. (c) A branch of a tree. (d) A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard. (e) (Naut) The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke. (f) An inlet of water from the sea. (g) A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the end of a sofa, etc. [1913 Webster] 3. Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. [1913 Webster] To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? --Isa. lii. 1. [1913 Webster] Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off. --Dryden. Arm's length, the length of the arm. Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach. To go (or walk) arm in arm, to go with the arm or hand of one linked in the arm of another. "When arm in armwe went along." --Tennyson. To keep at arm's length, to keep at a distance (literally or figuratively); not to allow to come into close contact or familiar intercourse. To work at arm's length, to work disadvantageously. [1913 Webster]