Definition of: arms

(ärmz) noun plural
1. Weapons collectively.
2. Warfare.
3. The official insignia or device of a state, person, or family.
4. Heraldic symbols.
—small arms Firearms of small caliber, carried by hand, as pistols, rifles, machine-guns, etc.
—to arms! Arm yourselves! Make ready for battle!
—to bear arms
1. To be provided with arms.
2. To serve as a member of the armed forces.
—under arms Provided with weapons; ready for war.
—up in arms Aroused and ready to fight. [<F armes <L arma weapons] Synonyms: armor; weapons. Arms are implements of attack; armor is a defensive covering. Any vessel provided with cannon is an armed vessel; an armored ship is steel-clad. Anything that can be wielded in fight may be a weapon; arms are especially made and designed for conflict.