Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

disarm

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅arm

  [dis-ahrm]
Use disarm in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to deprive of a weapon or weapons.
2. to remove the fuze or other actuating device from: to disarm a bomb.
3. to deprive of the means of attack or defense: The lack of logic disarmed his argument.
4. to divest or relieve of hostility, suspicion, etc.; win the affection or approval of; charm: His smile disarmed us.
–verb (used without object)
5. to lay down one's weapons.
6. (of a country) to reduce or limit the size, equipment, armament, etc., of the army, navy, or air force.
Origin:
1325–75; ME < OF desarmer. See dis- 1 , arm 2

Related forms:
dis⋅arm⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To disarm
dis·arm   (dĭs-ärm')   
v.   dis·armed, dis·arm·ing, dis·arms

v.   tr.

    1. To divest of a weapon or weapons.

    2. To deprive of the means of attack or defense; render harmless: "Have the courage to appear poor, and you disarm poverty of its sharpest sting" (Washington Irving).

    3. To overcome or allay the suspicion, hostility, or antagonism of.

    4. To win the confidence of.

    1. To overcome or allay the suspicion, hostility, or antagonism of.

    2. To win the confidence of.

v.   intr.

  1. To lay down arms.

  2. To reduce or abolish armed forces.


[Middle English disarmen, from Old French desarmer : des-, dis- + armer, to arm (from Latin armāre, from arma, weapons; see ar- in Indo-European roots).]
dis·arm'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

disarm 
c.1374, from O.Fr. desarmer (11c.), from des- "dis-" + armer (see arm (2)). The fig. sense is earlier in Eng. than the literal.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see disarm on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way