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A weapon of offense or defense; an instrument of warfare; -- commonly in the pl.

Armor; whatever is worn or used for the protection and defense of the body, esp. the protective outfit of some animals and plants.

Furnished with weapons of offense or defense; furnished with the means of security or protection. "And armed host." Dryden.

Defensive arms for the body; any clothing or covering worn to protect one's person in battle.

Covered with defensive plates of metal, as a ship of war; steel-clad. This day will be launched . . . the first armor-plated steam frigate in the possession of Great Britain. Times (Dec. 29, 1860).

Armor: defensive and offensive arms. Celestial armory, shields, helms, and spears. Milton.

Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. Milton. Three horses and three goodly suits of arms. Tennyson.

or maneuvers; and (3) one or more classes of soldiers organized largely for territorial defense, living at home and having only occasional periods of drill and instraction, who are variously called home reserves (as in the table below), second, third, etc., line of defense (the regular army and its reserves ordinarily…

A missile weapon of offense, slender, pointed, and usually feathered and barbed, to be shot from a bow. Broad arrow. (a) An arrow with a broad head. (b) A mark placed upon British ordnance and government stores, which bears a rude resemblance to a broad arrowhead.

ined a surplus of wealth. J. S. Mill. Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote.

The act or offense of grubbing up trees and bushes, and thus destroying the tickets or coverts of a forest. Spelman. Cowell.

ll, by surprise or secret assault; one who treacherously murders any one unprepared for defense.

The act of assembling, or the state o In sweet assemblage every blooming grace. Fenton.

To maintain; to defend. [Obs. or Archaic] That . . . I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. Milton. I will assert it from the scandal. Jer. Taylor.

ho maintains or vindicates a claim or a right; an affirmer, supporter, or vindicator; a defender; an asserter. The assertors of liberty said not a word. Macaulay. Faithful assertor of thy country's cause. Prior.

To stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offense or a crime. The murderer fell, and blood atoned for blood. Pope. The ministry not atoning for their former conduct by any wise or popular measure. Junius.

an injury, or by doing of suffering that which will be received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; expiation; amends; -- with for. Specifically, in theology: The expiation of sin made by the obedience, personal suffering, and death of Christ. When a man has been guilty of any vice, the best atonement be can mak…

of attacking, or falling on with force or violence; an onset; an assault; -- opposed to defense.

A legal agent qualified to act for suitors and defendants in legal proceedings; an attorney at law.

en; the authority of a court. Thus can the demigod, Authority, Make us pay down for our offense. Shak. By what authority doest thou these things Matt. xxi. 23.