arms

Etymology 1

From Middle English armes, from Old French armes, from Latin arma (“weapons”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂er-mo-, a suffixed form of *h₂er- (“to fit together”), hence ultimately cognate with etymology 2.

noun

1. Weaponry, weapons.
2. (heraldry) A visual design composed according to heraldic rules, consisting of a coat of arms normally displayed upon an escutcheon, sometimes accompanied by other elements of an achievement
   The arms of England are: gules, three lions passant gardant or.

verb

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of arm
   If the Duke arms himself for war, the king will not sit by idly!

Etymology 2

See arm.

noun

1. plural of arm