• The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey. • Anything resembling an arm • The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear. • A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an invertebrate animal. • A branch of a tree. • A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard. • The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke. • An inlet of water from the sea. • A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the end of a sofa, etc. • Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. • A branch of the military service; as, the cavalry arm was made efficient. • A weapon of offense or defense; an instrument of warfare; -- commonly in the pl. • To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms. • To furnish with arms or limbs. • To furnish or equip with weapons of offense or defense; as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country. • To cover or furnish with a plate, or with whatever will add strength, force, security, or efficiency; as, to arm the hit of a sword; to arm a hook in angling. • Fig.: To furnish with means of defense; to prepare for resistance; to fortify, in a moral sense. • To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack or resistance; to take arms.