Main Entry:

¹arm

Pronunciation:

\ˈärm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English earm; akin to Latin armus shoulder, Sanskrit īrma arm

Date:

before 12th century

1: a human upper limb ; especially : the part between the shoulder and the wrist2: something like or corresponding to an arm: 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 group5: power, might <the long arm of the law>6: a support (as on a chair) for the elbow and forearm7: sleeve8: the ability to throw or pitch a ball well ; also : a player having such ability9: a functional division of a group, organization, institution, or activity <the logistical arm of the air force>

— arm·less \ˈärm-ləs\ adjective

— arm·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— arm in arm

: with arms linked together <walked down the street arm in arm>