Prearm

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To supply weapons or equipment to someone or something before a need for them arises
2. Equipping a person or device with armaments or defensive tools ahead of an expected conflict or use
3. Making ready with weapons or safeguards beforehand so that they are available when required

Etymology: The verb "prearm" is a plain compound: the prefix "pre-", meaning "before" or "in advance", attached to "arm", meaning to equip with weapons. To prearm is therefore to supply someone or something with weapons or armaments ahead of time, before a conflict or threat has arrived. The base word "arm" comes from Latin "arma", meaning weapons or equipment, which passed into Old French and then into English. The prefix "pre-" comes from Latin "prae", meaning "before," and is a productive element in English that readily joins to existing verbs. Its combination with "arm" follows the same pattern as words like "prepay" or "preheat," so the formation is transparent rather than surprising.

Synonyms: forearm, prepare

Antonyms: disarm