Adjacent Words

under arms definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adv
1: armed and prepared for fighting

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin. --Rom. iii. 9. That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct. --Milton. Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. (b) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short. Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser. Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue. --Hooker. There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year. --Swift. It was too great an honor for any man under a duke. --Addison. Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. (c) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep. A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt. --Milton. Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine. --Felton. Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. --Milton. Under arms. (Mil.) (a) Drawn up fully armed and equipped. (b) Enrolled for military service; as, the state has a million men under arms. Under canvas. (a) (Naut.) Moved or propelled by sails; -- said of any vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer using her sails only, as distinguished from one under steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel is using both means of propulsion. (b) (Mil.) Provided with, or sheltered in, tents. Under fire, exposed to an enemy's fire; taking part in a battle or general engagement. Under foot. See under Foot, n. Under ground, below the surface of the ground. Under one's signature, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under Over, prep. Under sail. (Naut.) (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion. (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down. (c) Same as Under canvas (a), above. --Totten. Under sentence, having had one's sentence pronounced. Under the breath, with low voice; very softly. Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land. Under the rose. See under Rose, n. Under water, below the surface of the water. Under way, or Under weigh (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Arms 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.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

Armed for fighting, ready for battle.