Arms. n.s. without the singular number. [arma, Lat.]

1. Weapons of offence, or armour of defence.

                   Those arms which Mars before
   Had giv'n the vanquish'd, now the victor bore. Pope's Iliad.

2. A state of hostility.

   Sir Edward Courtney, and the haughty prelate,
   With many more confed'rates, are in arms. Shakes. R. III.

3. War in general.

   Arms and the man I sing. Dryd. VIrgil.

   Him Paris follow'd to the dire alarms,
   Both breathing slaughter, both resolv'd in arms. Pope's Iliad.

4. Action; the act of taking arms.

   Up rose the victor angels, and to arms
   The matin trumpet sung. Milton's Paradise Lost, b. vi.

5. The ensigns amorial of a family.