Ärms, n. pl.
[Fr. arme, pl. armes, Pr. armas, pl., Sp. & It. arma, Lat. arma, pl.]
Sense 1. Instruments or weapons of offense or defense.
He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. Milton.
Sense 2. The deeds or exploits of war; acts of hostility. “Arms and the man I sing.” Dryden.
Sense 3. (Law.) Any thing which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with. Cowell. Blackstone.
Sense 4. (Her.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, &c., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son. Burke.
Sense 5. (Falconry.) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot. Halliwell.
To be in arms, to be in a state of hostility, or of preparation for war. — To be under arms, to be armed and in readiness for fighting. — To arms! a summons to war or battle. — A stand of arms, a complete set for one soldier, as a musket, bayonet, cartridge-box and belt; frequently, the musket and bayonet alone. — Small arms, those not requiring carriages for their transportation in service.