'Under arms' definitions:
Definition of 'under arms'
From: WordNet
adverb
Armed and prepared for fighting
Definition of 'Under arms'
From: GCIDE
- Under \Un"der\ ([u^]n"d[~e]r), prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. Inferior.]
- 1. 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. [1913 Webster]
- Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
- Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; [1913 Webster] (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. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
- Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin. --Rom. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]
- That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (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. [1913 Webster]
- Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
- Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
- There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
- It was too great an honor for any man under a duke. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. [1913 Webster]
- Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. [1913 Webster] (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. [1913 Webster]
- A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine. --Felton. [1913 Webster]
- Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. [1913 Webster] (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. [1913 Webster]
- Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 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.
- Under foot. See under Foot, n.
- Under ground, below the surface of the ground.
- Under one's signature, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under Over, prep.
- Under sail. (Naut.) (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion. (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down. (c) Same as Under canvas (a), above. --Totten.
- Under sentence, having had one's sentence pronounced.
- Under the breath, Under one's breath, with low voice; very softly.
- Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land.
- Under the gun. Under psychological pressure, such as the need to meet a pressing deadline; feeling pressured
- Under water, below the surface of the water.
- Under way, or Under weigh (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started. [1913 Webster]
Words containing 'Under arms'
- arm,
- arm in arm,
- armed,
- armful,
- arming,
- arms,
- up in arms,
- An arm of flesh,
- Armed neutrality,
- Armed ship,
- At arm's length,
- Big Arm,
- Bred to arms,
- Canting arms,
- Carry arms,
- Cessation of arms,
- Coat of arms,
- College of Arms,
- Force and arms,
- Lead arming,
- Man at arms,
- Pesent arms,
- Place of arms,
- Port arms,
- Recover arms,
- Reverse arms,
- Rocker arm,
- Secure arms,
- Side arms,
- Small arms,
- Stack of arms,
- Stand of arms,
- Support arms,
- Suspension of arms,
- Sword arm,
- To arm the lead,
- To carry arms,
- To pile arms,
- To stack arms,
- To take arms,
- To take up arms,
- Under-arm,
- arm band,
- arm bone,
- arm exercise,
- arm guard,
- arm pad,
- arm's length,
- armed Gephyreans,
- armed bullhead,
- armed combat,
- armed force,
- armed forces,
- armed robbery,
- armed service,
- armed services,
- arms control,
- arms deal,
- arms industry,
- arms manufacturer,
- arms race,
- contact arm,
- light arm,
- manual of arms,
- order arms,
- pickup arm,
- pursuivant at arms,
- sergeant at arms,
- shoulder arms,
- side arm,
- strong arm,
- take arms,
- take up arms,
- tone arm,
- wiper arm,
- with open arms,
- writing arm,
- Armed en flute,
- Big Arm, MT,
- Cross-armed,
- Gens d'armes,
- Gentlemen-at-arms,
- Heavy-armed,
- King-at-arms,
- King-of-arms,
- Light-armed,
- Long-armed,
- Proof-arm,
- Right shoulder arms,
- Round-arm,
- Sergeant-at-arms,
- Serjeant-at-arms,
- To keep at arm's length,
- arm-twisting,
- armed forces censorship,
- armed forces day,
- armed islamic group,
- arms-runner,
- bachelor-at-arms,
- former armed forces,
- freedom to bear arms,
- gentleman-at-arms,
- lightly-armed,
- man-at-arms,
- master-at-arms,
- men-at-arms,
- one-armed,
- re-arm,
- small-arm,
- straight-arm,
- strong-arm,
- Corps d'arm'ee,
- Garter king-at-arms,
- one-armed bandit,
- revolutionary armed forces of colombia,
- strategic arms limitation talks,
- tablet-armed chair