ar|mor

ar|mor «AHR muhr», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a covering, usually of metal or leather, worn to protect the body in fighting.

2. any similar kind of protective covering against wear or accident. A diver's suit and the scales of a fish are armor.

3. the steel or iron plates or other protective covering of a warship, aircraft, tank, or fortification; armor plate.

4. the armored forces and equipment, such as the tanks, of a military unit.

5. a protective metal covering wrapped around an electric cable or telephone line.

6. Figurative. anything serving as protective or defensive: »

the armor of knowledge.

–v.t., v.i.

to cover or protect with armor. Also, British, armour.

╂[< Old French armeüre < Latin armātūra < armāre to arm. See etym. of doublet armature. (Cf. ↑armature)]

–ar´mor|like´, adjective.