'At arm's length' definitions:
Definition of 'at arm's length'
(from WordNet)
adverb
At some distance; "keep someone at arm's length"
Definition of 'At arm's length'
From: GCIDE
- Length \Length\ (l[e^]ngth), n. [OE. lengthe, AS. leng[eth], fr. lang, long, long; akin to D. lengte, Dan. l[ae]ngde, Sw. l[aum]ngd, Icel. lengd. See Long, a. ]
- 1. The longest, or longer, dimension of any object, in distinction from breadth or width; extent of anything from end to end; the longest line which can be drawn through a body, parallel to its sides; as, the length of a church, or of a ship; the length of a rope or line. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A portion of space or of time considered as measured by its length; -- often in the plural. [1913 Webster]
- Large lengths of seas and shores. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- The future but a length behind the past. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- 3. The quality or state of being long, in space or time; extent; duration; as, some sea birds are remarkable for the length of their wings; he was tired by the length of the sermon, and the length of his walk. [1913 Webster]
- 4. A single piece or subdivision of a series, or of a number of long pieces which may be connected together; as, a length of pipe; a length of fence. [1913 Webster]
- 5. Detail or amplification; unfolding; continuance as, to pursue a subject to a great length. [1913 Webster]
- May Heaven, great monarch, still augment your bliss With length of days, and every day like this. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- 6. Distance. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- He had marched to the length of Exeter. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
- At length. (a) At or in the full extent; without abbreviation; as, let the name be inserted at length. (b) At the end or conclusion; after a long period. See Syn. of At last, under Last.
- At arm's length. See under Arm. [1913 Webster]