Definition

Adverb 1. Armed and prepared for fighting: In a state of being equipped with weapons and ready for combat or military action.

Usage

This adverb describes a state of military readiness. It is typically used in formal, historical, or military contexts to indicate that a group of people (e.g., soldiers, a militia, a population) has been mobilized and supplied with weapons.

Examples

• The general reported that over ten thousand men were under arms and awaiting orders.
• During the rebellion, the entire region was under arms.
• The treaty required the militia to disband and no longer remain under arms.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a collective or organized state of readiness, not just an individual carrying a weapon.
• It can be used figuratively to describe being in a state of high alert or preparedness for a non-military conflict, though this is less common.
  • The legal team was under arms, ready for the intense negotiations.

Variants and Related Words

• To bear arms: (Verb phrase) To carry or possess weapons.
• Arms: (Noun) Weapons; military equipment.
• Under arms is a fixed adverbial phrase. There are no direct grammatical variants like "under armed."

Synonyms

• Mobilized
• Armed and ready
• In a state of military readiness

Related Phrases

• To call to arms: To summon people to prepare for battle.
• To rise up in arms: To begin armed resistance or rebellion.
• Lay down one's arms: To surrender; to stop fighting.

Adverb

1. armed and prepared for fighting