Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. "He lays down his arms, but not his wiles.""Three horses and three goodly suits of arms."
2.
The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. "Arms and the man I sing."
3.
(Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
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.
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.
Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house."Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long.""Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place."
2.
Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows:
(a)
Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity. "Both Jews and Gentiles... are all under sin.""That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct.""Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them."
(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.""Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue.""There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year.""It was too great an honor for any man under a duke." 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."
(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.""Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine.""Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes."
(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."
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.
... just now—and we'll have our turn at it! We'll give those House of Commons oligarchs—those tools of the squires and shopkeepers—we'll give them a taste of pleasure from without, as shall make the bar of the house crack again. And then to be under arms, day and night, till ... — Alton Locke, Tailor And Poet • Rev. Charles Kingsley et al Read full book for free!
... held a great review of regular troops, and of the entire body of the National Guards of Paris and its environs. This review also took place in the Champs de Mars, and it was said that nearly a hundred thousand men were under arms for the occasion. I think there might have been quite seventy thousand. These mere reviews have little interest, the evolutions being limited to marching by regiments on and off the ground. In doing the latter, the troops defile before the king. Previously to this, the royal cortege passed ... — Recollections of Europe • J. Fenimore Cooper Read full book for free!
... thousand men in Westphalia. Figueras, San Sebastian, and Valladolid were soon in French hands. The "Moniteur" of January twenty-fourth explained that these acts were necessitated by plans of the English to land at Cadiz. Six days afterward the Emperor estimated that he had eight hundred thousand men under arms, and that he would soon have eighty thousand more. In the presence of such facts the Prince of the Peace was prostrated, while terror overpowered the feeble King and his wicked consort. Nor was their panic diminished when a second letter arrived from Napoleon, ... — The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte - Vol. III. (of IV.) • William Milligan Sloane Read full book for free!
... garrisons at Stockholm and other principal cities of the country, and are at all times under arms. The militia, divided into regiments and companies according to location, numbers 181,000 men, and is subject to call by the king at all hours and under all circumstances. Each member of the militia, as I have said, must serve a certain time in the army, eight months ... — Norwegian Life • Ethlyn T. Clough Read full book for free!
... inhabitants of the Philippines had been engaged in almost incessant warfare with the Spanish authorities. In the spring of 1898 they were in a fair way to win their independence. They had a large number of men under arms—from 20,000 to 30,000; they had fought the Spanish garrisons to a stand-still, and were in practical ... — The American Empire • Scott Nearing Read full book for free!
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