Definition

1. Noun:

   • A protective covering, often rigid, worn to defend the body in combat: Historically made of metal, leather, or other strong materials to protect soldiers, knights, or warriors from weapons.
   • The protective metal plates on a military vehicle: The reinforced covering of tanks, ships, or aircraft designed to withstand attack.
   • (Biology) A tough, protective covering on an animal or plant: A natural, hard structure like a shell, plate, or scale that provides defense.
   • A military unit equipped with armored fighting vehicles: Such as a tank regiment.

2. Verb:

   • To equip or cover with a protective layer: To provide someone or something with armour.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The knight's suit of armour was very heavy.
  • The tank's armour can deflect small arms fire.
  • The armadillo's armour is made of bony plates.
  • The general commanded the 7th Armour.

• Verb:

  • The engineers worked to armour the vehicle against mines.

Advanced Usage

• "Chink in one's armour": A weak point or vulnerability in an otherwise strong defense or argument.

  • The prosecutor found a chink in the defendant's armour during cross-examination.

• "Knight in shining armour": An idealized hero or rescuer, especially in a romantic context.

  • She wasn't waiting for a knight in shining armour to solve her problems.

Variants and Related Words

• Armored (Adjective): Protected by armour; equipped with armoured vehicles.
  • An armored convoy transported the supplies.
• Armourer (Noun): A maker or repairer of arms or armour; a person in charge of weapons.
• Armoury (Noun, chiefly British English): An arsenal; a place where weapons and military equipment are stored.
  • The castle's armoury was well stocked.

Synonyms

• Noun (Protective covering): Mail, panoply, plating, shield, carapace (for biological armour).
• Verb: Fortify, shield, protect, plate.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Armour up (Informal): To put on protective gear or prepare mentally for a difficult situation.
  • The soldiers armoured up before the mission.

Related Idioms

• A suit of armour: Can be used metaphorically to describe emotional defenses or an unapproachable demeanor.
  • After the betrayal, he wore a suit of armour around his heart.

Noun

1. tough more-or-less rigid protective covering of an animal or plant
2. protective covering made of metal and used in combat
3. a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles

Verb

1. equip with armor