rearmv.
/ˌriːˈɑːm/, /rɪˈɑːm/, U.S. /riˈɑrm/ Military.† 2. transitive. Nautical. To provide (a sounding lead) with fresh tallow. Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To arm again (in later use frequently with newer weapons, or after a period of disarmament); to provide with weapons once more. Also reflexive. Also figurative and in figurative contexts.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > arm or equip [verb (transitive)] > rearm
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1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. ii. 51 To their aide ariues Another new heat, which their heart reuiues, Re-armes their hands, and..brings them againe to fight.
1665 R. Head Eng. Rogue I. viii. 56 I received a most alluring smile, in stead of a killing frown. This re-armed me with confidence.
1750 A. Hill tr. Voltaire Merope (ed. 2) ii. iv. 24 I..freed him from his Chains; And, to re-arm him, for the Cause he chose: Call'd for his Sword.
1753 J. Scott Notes & Observ. Genesis 303 God had just before compleatly re-armed our first Parents with that Faith and Law.
1809 J. C. Cross Fire King ii. i, (stage direct.) in Circusiana II. 175 King Baldwin returns re-armed to the fight; attacks Albert, who attempts to repel him.
1859 E. Bennett Wild Scenes on Frontiers 32 Our young hero had broken every weapon—his rifle, knife, and tomahawk—and he now proceeded to re-arm himself.
1871 Pall Mall Gaz. 6 Mar. 7 At this moment the effort of the Government is to rearm as many soldiers of the line as possible.
1903 J. Chamberlain Speeches Introd. 9 By re-arming ourselves with the weapon of a moderate tariff, we may still defend our home market against unfair competition.
1939 Atlanta Constit. 18 Apr. 2/4 Both furnish opportunities for persons very much in the public life to return to the scholastic fold for a ‘refresher’ and go forth rearmed with new knowledge.
1970 Compar. Politics 2 204 The United States insisted that Germany be rearmed in order to counter the growing strength and threats of the Soviet Union.
2007 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) June 165/2 He's just plain against re-arming the U.S.—unless the weapons are built in New York.
b. intransitive. To acquire or build up a new supply of weapons, esp. after a period of peace or disarmament.
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1648 Prince Charles Declar. commended to Publique sig. A2v The only causes that engage us to re-arme, and make our way to Equity by the Sword.
a1661 Earl of Monmouth tr. P. G. Capriata Hist. Wars Italy (1663) iv. 118 The King might lawfully re-arm upon new occasions, though he had been bound by these Capitulations to disarm.
1796 A. Knox Ess. Polit. Circumstances Ireland (1798) x. 77 They call the unharnessed volunteers to re-muster and re-arm.
1849 Rep. Proc. 2nd Gen. Peace Congr. 35 If..the world wished to re-arm, to leave the system of peace, and return to the sad method of war.
1920 Ann. Amer. Acad. Polit. & Soc. Sci. 92 26/1 Unless the national jealousies are controlled the nations of Europe will rearm.
1941 J. Rice Diary 22 June in Sand in my Shoes (2006) 142 Rearm as hard as we can, but join with the Russians? Never, never never. Talk about trying to buddy up with a tiger!
2007 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 12 July 27 Oman needed to re-arm, modernise its army and create an air force.
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1869 C. Burney Boy's Man. Seamanship & Gunnery 150 When the lead is inboard the arming is examined..and the lead is re-armed ready for use.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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