Small arms

Small arms
Arms Arms, n. pl. [OE. armes, F. arme, pl. armes, fr. L. arma, pl., arms, orig. fittings, akin to armus shoulder, and E. arm. See {Arm}, n.] 1. Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. [1913 Webster]

He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Three horses and three goodly suits of arms. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

2. The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. ``Arms and the man I sing.'' --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. (Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon. --Cowell. Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

5. (Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot. --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]

{Arm's end},

{Arm's length},

{Arm's reach}. See under {Arm}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Small arms — is a term used by the armed forces to refer to infantry weapons, such as the firearms that an individual soldier can carry. It is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, carbines, assault rifles, rifles, sniper rifles,… …   Wikipedia

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  • Small arms — Small Small (sm[add]l), a. [Compar. {Smaller}; superl. {Smallest}.] [OE. small, AS. sm[ae]l; akin to D. smal narrow, OS. & OHG. smal small, G. schmal narrow, Dan. & Sw. smal, Goth. smals small, Icel. smali smal cattle, sheep, or goats; cf. Gr.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Small arms — est un jeu vidéo d action sur la Xbox 360. Il est uniquement disponible sur le Xbox Live Arcade. Portail du jeu vidéo Ce document provient de « Small Arms ». Catégories  …   Wikipédia en Français

  • small arms — n. firearms of small caliber, held in the hand or hands when fired, as pistols, rifles, etc. * * * …   Universalium

  • small arms — n. firearms of small caliber, held in the hand or hands when fired, as pistols, rifles, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Small Arms — est un jeu vidéo d action sur la Xbox 360. Il est uniquement disponible sur le Xbox Live Arcade. Portail du jeu vidéo Catégories : Jeu d actionJeu …   Wikipédia en Français

  • small arms — ► PLURAL NOUN ▪ portable firearms …   English terms dictionary

  • small arms — N PLURAL Small arms are guns that are light and easy to carry. The two sides exchanged small arms fire for about three hours. Syn: handgun …   English dictionary

  • small arms — Gun Gun (g[u^]n), n. [OE. gonne, gunne; of uncertain origin; cf. Ir., Gael., & LL. gunna, W. gum; possibly (like cannon) fr. L. canna reed, tube; or abbreviated fr. OF. mangonnel, E. mangonel, a machine for hurling stones.] 1. A weapon which… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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