Rearming

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of supplying or furnishing weapons, ammunition, or military equipment once more
2. The process of restoring armaments or military gear to a person, vehicle, or group after use
3. Replenishing or replacing weapons and munitions to regain full combat readiness

Etymology: "Rearming" is the present participle of "rearm", which is built from the prefix "re-" ("again") and "arm" (to equip with weapons). The verb "arm" traces back through Old French to Latin "armare", and "re-" comes from Latin "re-" with the sense of repetition or return. The combination is transparent: to rearm is literally to arm once more, and the same logic produces many other "re-" verbs in English. The "arm" in question is the one for weapons, not the limb. English "arm" as a verb, meaning to supply with weapons or make ready for war, is an older and more basic use than the everyday sense of a body part, and "rearm" simply restores that military sense after a period of disarmament. Because the parts are so plain, the word needs little more explanation.

Synonyms: resupplying, refitting

Antonyms: disarming