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Arm's length   /ɑrmz lɛŋkθ/   Listen
noun
Arm  n.  
1.
The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey.
2.
Anything resembling an arm; as,
(a)
The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear.
(b)
A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an invertebrate animal.
(c)
A branch of a tree.
(d)
A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard.
(e)
(Naut) The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke.
(f)
An inlet of water from the sea.
(g)
A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the end of a sofa, etc.
3.
Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. "To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off.
Arm's length, the length of the arm.
Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach.
To go arm in arm (or To walk arm in arm), to go with the arm or hand of one linked in the arm of another. "When arm in armwe went along."
To keep at arm's length, to keep at a distance (literally or figuratively); not to allow to come into close contact or familiar intercourse.
To work at arm's length, to work disadvantageously.


Arms  n. pl.  
1.
Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. "He lays down his arms, but not his wiles." "Three horses and three goodly suits of arms."
2.
The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. "Arms and the man I sing."
3.
(Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
4.
(Her.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.
5.
(Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.
Bred to arms, educated to the profession of a soldier.
In arms, armed for war; in a state of hostility.
Small arms, portable firearms known as muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, etc.
A stand of arms, a complete set for one soldier, as a musket, bayonet, cartridge box and belt; frequently, the musket and bayonet alone.
To arms! a summons to war or battle.
Under arms, armed and equipped and in readiness for battle, or for a military parade.
Arm's end,
Arm's length,
Arm's reach. See under Arm.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Arm's length" Quotes from Famous Books



... third round and was eagerly expecting my future bride to rush into my arms, something did rush into my arms, but I'll leave it to the opinion of the meeting whether this can be my future bride!" and he held at arm's length by the coat collar the laughing, squirming figure of ...
— Ethel Morton's Holidays • Mabell S. C. Smith
... sigh, turned slowly round, and bent two terrible eyes upon the intruder, knocked off the ash with an angry gesture, and held out the ignited end at arm's length. ...
— The Ink-Stain, Complete • Rene Bazin
... more degrading place in all Paris. Coffee-houses and taverns are by no means creditable at Paris. Be cautiously upon your guard against the infinite number of fine-dressed and fine-spoken 'chevaliers d'industrie' and 'avanturiers' which swarm at Paris: and keep everybody civilly at arm's length, of whose real character or rank you are not previously informed. Monsieur le Comte or Monsieur le Chevalier, in a handsome laced coat, 'et tres bien mis', accosts you at the play, or some other public place; he conceives at first sight an infinite regard for you: he sees that you are a stranger ...
— The PG Edition of Chesterfield's Letters to His Son • The Earl of Chesterfield
... great space) 180; to the uttermost parts, to the ends of the earth; out of hearing, nobody knows where, a perte de vue [Fr.], out of the sphere of, wide of the mark; a far cry to. apart, asunder; wide apart, wide asunder; longo intervallo [It]; at arm's length. Phr. distance lends enchantment [Campbell]; it's a long long way to Tipperary; out of sight, out ...
— Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases: Body • Roget
... foe. There was only one avenue of escape, and that was down by the side of the school-house to the public road. It was inch by inch that they withdrew. No army ever beat a more stubborn or masterly retreat. In the face of certain defeat, at scarcely arm's length from their shouting and exultant foe, they fought ...
— The Flag • Homer Greene


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