Part 15

ARMADA, a Spanish term, signifying a fleet of men of war, applied particularly to that great one fitted out by the Spaniards, with an intention to conquer England in 1588, and which was first dispersed by a terrible storm, several of the ships wrecked on the coasts of England and Ireland, and many overtaken and defeated by the English fleet, under admirals Howard and Drake.

ARMADILLA, a Spanish term, signifying a small squadron.

ARMATURA, in ancient military history, signifies the fixed and established military exercise of the Romans, nearly in the sense we use the word exercise. Under this word is understood, the throwing of the spear, javelin, shooting with bows and arrows, &c.

ARMATURA is also an appellation given to the soldiers who were light-armed. Aquinus seems without reason, to restrain armatura to the tyrones, or young soldiers.

ARMATURA was also a denomination given to the soldiers in the Roman emperor’s retinue.

ARMED, in a general sense, denotes something provided with, or carrying arms.

An ARMED body of men, denotes a military corps or detachment, provided with arms and ammunition, ready for an engagement.

ARMED, in the sea language. A cross-bar-shot is said to be armed, when some rope-yarn, or the like, is rolled about the end of the iron bar which runneth through the shot.

ARMED ship, is a vessel taken into the public service, and equipped in time of war, with artillery, ammunition, and warlike instruments: in the British service an armed ship is commanded by an officer who has the rank of master and commander in the navy, and upon the same establishment with sloops of war, having a lieutenant, master, purser, surgeon, &c.

ARMEE, Fr. See ARMY.

ARMEMENT, Fr. a levy of troops, equipage of war, either by land or sea.

ARMES a l’Epreuve, a French term for armor of polished steel, which was proof against the sword or small arms; but its weight so encumbered the wearer, that modern tacticians have wholly rejected its use.

ARMES à la légére, Fr. light-troops, who were employed to attack in small bodies, as opportunity occurred. See RIFLEMEN, &c.

ARMES des Pieces de Canon, the French term for the tools used in practical gunnery, as the scoop, rammer, sponge, &c.

ARMET, Fr. a casque or helmet.

ARMIGER, an esquire or armor-bearer, who formerly attended his knight or chieftain in war, combat, or tournament, and who carried his lance, shield, or other weapons with which he fought.

ARMILUSTRIUM, in Roman antiquity, a feast observed among the Roman generals, in which they sacrificed, armed, to the sound of trumpets, and other war-like instruments.

ARMISTICE, a temporary truce, or cessation of arms for a very short space of time only.

ARMORY, a warehouse of arms, or a place where the military habiliments are kept, to be ready for use.

ARMOR, denotes all such habiliments as serve to defend the body from wounds, especially darts, a sword, a lance, &c. A complete suit of armor formerly consisted of a helmet, a shield, a cuiras, a coat of mail, a gantlet, &c. now almost universally laid aside.

ARMOR BEARER, he that carries the armor of another.

ARMORER, a person who makes or deals in armor, or arms; also a person who keeps them clean.

ARMS, in a general sense, signify all kinds of weapons, whether used for offence or defence.

Fire-ARMS, are cannon, mortars, howitzers, grenades, firelocks, rifles, fusils, carbines, guns, and pistols; or any other machine discharged by inflamed powder.

Arms may properly be classed under two specific heads--

Arms of offence, which include musquet, bayonet, sword, pistol, rifle, &c.

Arms of defence, which are shields, helmets, coats of mail, or any species of repulsive or impenetrable covering, by which the body of a man is protected.

ARMS--Small.