unarmoured
/'ʌn'ɑ:məd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking protective armor: Used to describe military personnel, vehicles, or equipment that are not equipped with defensive armor plating.
- Lacking a protective covering: Used to describe animals that do not have a natural protective shell, plate, or similar covering.
Usage and Examples
- Describing military assets:
- The convoy consisted of unarmoured supply trucks, making them vulnerable to attack.
- Soldiers were ordered not to patrol in unarmoured vehicles in the conflict zone.
- Describing animals:
- Unlike armadillos, rabbits are unarmoured creatures.
- The unarmoured caterpillar is an easy target for birds.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Military Context: The term is often used in contrast to "armoured" to specify a class of vehicle or unit.
- The infantry division requested more armoured personnel carriers to replace their unarmoured transports.
- Biological/Zoological Context: Used to classify species based on their physical defenses.
- Many unarmoured mollusks rely on speed or camouflage for protection.
Variants and Related Words
- Unarmored (Adjective): The preferred American English spelling. It has the same meaning as "unarmoured."
- The unarmored Humvees were quickly phased out.
- Armoured/Armored (Adjective): The direct antonym, meaning equipped with protective covering.
- Unprotected (Adjective): A more general synonym, not specific to military or biological contexts.
Synonyms
- Vulnerable: Susceptible to physical harm or attack.
- Defenseless: Lacking means of defense.
- Unprotected: Not shielded or guarded.
Antonyms
- Armoured/Armored: Protected by armor.
- Protected: Kept safe from harm or damage.
- Shielded: Covered or protected with a shield.
Notes on Usage
- The spelling unarmoured is standard in British English and other Commonwealth variants, while unarmored is standard in American English.
- The term is specific and formal; in everyday language, "not armored" or "without armor" is more common.
- It is primarily used in descriptive, technical, or comparative contexts rather than as a general adjective.
Adjective
- (used of persons or things military) without protective armor
- used of animals; without protective covering