To place (a weapon) in position for action; to ‘level’, direct the aim of. (In charge bayonets! it appears to have passed into sense 22.)

Military. Originally: to carry (a pike or similar weapon) in the right hand in an oblique position with the head forward and the butt nearly…

transitive. To point (a weapon, esp. a firearm) at something; to hold (a firearm) out in the position of taking aim, so as to be ready to fire…

transitive. To bring (a weapon) back to a vertical position (known as recover arms (also swords)). Cf. recover, n. 4a. Occasionally intransitive…

transitive. Military. To replace (a weapon) in the usual receptacle or position.

transitive. Military. To take hold of (a weapon, etc.), esp. when commanded to do so as part of a drill; spec. to put one's right hand on the muzzle…

transitive. Military. To hold (a weapon) in a relaxed position. Also in extended use: (of a commander of troops) to command troops to relax (their…

transitive. Military. To carry or hold (a weapon) with both hands in a raised position; spec. to carry (a rifle) diagonally across and close to…

spec. To bring (a weapon) into, or hold (it) in, a sloping position. Also transferred.

transitive. To hold or carry (a weapon) so that it is not in a position of readiness.

To classify, put in order; to manage, direct. transitive. Military. to order arms (also a gun,etc.): to bring a firearm into a position in which it…

transitive. Military. To hold (a weapon) in an upright position resting on the shoulder, as when on parade or giving a salute. Chiefly in to carry s…