plural arms
1
: a human upper limb
especially
: the part between the shoulder and the wrist
2
: something like or corresponding to an arm: such as
a
: the forelimb of a vertebrate
b
: a limb of an invertebrate animal
c
: a branch or lateral shoot of a plant
d
: a slender part of a structure, machine, or an instrument projecting from a main part, axis, or fulcrum
e
: the end of a ship's yard
also
: the part of an anchor from the crown to the fluke see anchor illustration
f
: any of the usually two parts of a chromosome lateral to the centromere
3
: an inlet of water (as from the sea)
4
: a narrow extension of a larger area, mass, or group
6
: a support (as on a chair) for the elbow and forearm
7
: sleeve
8
: the ability to throw or pitch a ball well
also
: a player having such ability
9
: a functional division of a group, organization, institution, or activity
the logistical arm of the air force
10
medical
: a group of subjects provided a particular treatment in a clinical trial
Since this trial did not include a radiation-only treatment arm, it has been questioned whether radiation therapy alone might be as effective as sequential chemotherapy and radiation therapy in preserving the larynx.—Everett E. Vokes et al.
armed; arming; arms
1
: to furnish or equip with weapons
2
: to furnish with something that strengthens or protects
arming citizens with the right to vote
3
: to equip or ready for action or operation
arm a bomb
: to prepare oneself for struggle or resistance
arm for combat
often attributive
1
a
: a means (such as a weapon) of offense or defense
especially
: firearm
b
: a combat branch (as of an army)
c
: an organized branch of national defense (such as the navy)
2
arms plural
a
: the hereditary heraldic devices of a family
b
: heraldic devices adopted by a government
3
Armenian
adjustable rate mortgage
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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