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Arm's length   /ɑrmz lɛŋkθ/   Listen
noun
Arm  n.  
1.
The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey.
2.
Anything resembling an arm; as,
(a)
The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear.
(b)
A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an invertebrate animal.
(c)
A branch of a tree.
(d)
A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard.
(e)
(Naut) The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke.
(f)
An inlet of water from the sea.
(g)
A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the end of a sofa, etc.
3.
Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. "To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off.
Arm's length, the length of the arm.
Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach.
To go arm in arm (or To walk arm in arm), to go with the arm or hand of one linked in the arm of another. "When arm in armwe went along."
To keep at arm's length, to keep at a distance (literally or figuratively); not to allow to come into close contact or familiar intercourse.
To work at arm's length, to work disadvantageously.


Arms  n. pl.  
1.
Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. "He lays down his arms, but not his wiles." "Three horses and three goodly suits of arms."
2.
The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. "Arms and the man I sing."
3.
(Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
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.
5.
(Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.
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.
Arm's end,
Arm's length,
Arm's reach. See under Arm.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Arm's length" Quotes from Famous Books



... important that all persons sitting in the same room as the seer should be at arm's length away from him—farther if possible. Silence should be uniformly observed by those present. A recorder should be at hand to set down everything the seer may give voice to. If any questions are addressed to the seer while the sitting is in progress, they should be spoken in ...
— How to Read the Crystal - or, Crystal and Seer • Sepharial
... Mr. Flanagan made a sudden start for the stairs, with the boot and lamp at arm's length before him, and stopped as suddenly. "Yull go up? or wud she come down to ye?" There was as much anxious indecision in Mr. Flanagan's general aspect, pending the reply, as if he had to ...
— Little Classics, Volume 8 (of 18) - Mystery • Various
... faith in her future,' answered Lady Maulevrier. 'There seems to be a fatality about the career of particularly attractive girls. They are too confident of their power to succeed in life. They trifle with fortune, fascinate the wrong people, and keep the right people at arm's length. I think if I had been Lesbia's guide in society her first season would have counted for more than it is likely to count for under Lady Kirkbank's management. I should have awakened Lesbia from the dream of dress and dancing—the mere butterfly life of a girl who never looks beyond the present ...
— Phantom Fortune, A Novel • M. E. Braddon
... proficiency in wielding the pick, was masked, and his name kept a profound secret. Brandreth's neck received only one stroke, but it was not clean done, and the assistant (also masked) finished it off with a knife. Then the executioner laid hold of the head by the hair, and holding it at arm's length, to the left, to the right, and in front of the scaffold, called out three times—'Behold the head of the traitor, Jeremiah Brandreth.' The other two were served in like manner. Turner's neck received ...
— Bygone Punishments • William Andrews
... horse and threw his rifle sharply to his face. His antagonist made no attempt to swerve, but instead spurred forward sharply. The brown horse sprang breast to breast with the cream-colored mustang. The two men were within arm's length. At this minute there rang out two reports, almost at the same instant. The ...
— The Junior Classics • Various


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