arms

Universal Words noun [pl.] 1 (formal) weapons, especially as used by the army, navy or air force: arms and ammunition * Police officers in the UK do not usually carry arms. seealsoFIREARM, SMALLARMS 2 = COATOFARMS: the King's Arms (= used as the name of a pub) IDIOMS be under arms to have weapons and be ready to fight in a war lay down your arms to stop fighting: The government called on the terrorists to lay down their arms. take up arms (against sb) to prepare to fight: He encouraged his supporters to take up arms against the state. (be) up in arms (about / over sth) (informal) (of a group of people) to be very angry about sth and ready to protest strongly about it moreatBEARv., PRESENTv.