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.
He lays down his arms, but not his
wiles.
Milton.
Three horses and three goodly suits of arms.
Tennyson.
2. The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. "Arms and the man I sing." Dryden.
3. (Law) Anything which a man
takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
Cowell. Blackstone.
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.
5. (Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the
thigh to the foot.
Halliwell.
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.
Arm's end, Arm's
length, Arm's reach. See under Arm.
Hear it pronounced