Arm1, n.
n. [A-S. arm, earm, Goth. arms, Icel. armr, O. A. Ger. aram, Ger., D., Dan., & Sw. arm, Lat. armus, arm, shoulder, Gr. ἀρμός, joining, joint, shoulder, from the root ἀρ, to join, to fit together. Cf. Slav. ramo, shoulder, Lat. ramus, branch.]
- The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand.
- Any thing resembling an arm; as, (a.) The branch of a tree. (b.) A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, or axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard. (c.) (Naut.) The end of a yard. Also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke. (d.) An inlet of water from the sea.
- (Fig.) Power; might; strength; puissance; as, the secular arm.
To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Isa. liii. 1. 4. (Mil.) (a.) A branch of the military service; as, the cavalry arm. (b.) A weapon of offense or defense; an instrument of warfare;—commonly in the pl. See ARMS. To work at arms' length, to work awkwardly or disadvantageously.—Stabbing or daggering of arms, a practice of early gallants, who thus obtained blood which they mingled with wine, and then drank to their mistresses. Nares.