armlock
|arm-lock|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrmˌlɑk/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːm.lɒk/
to lock or immobilize an arm
Etymology
'armlock' originates from English as a compound of 'arm' + 'lock', where 'arm' meant 'limb' and 'lock' meant 'to secure or fasten.'
'arm' comes from Old English 'earm' meaning 'arm, limb', and 'lock' comes from Old English 'locc' meaning 'fastening'; the compound 'armlock' developed in modern English to describe a hold that secures an arm, particularly in combat/sport contexts.
Initially the components referred separately to a limb ('arm') and a fastening ('lock'); over time the compound came to refer specifically to a grappling hold that immobilizes or applies pressure to an arm.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a grappling hold that immobilizes or applies pressure to an opponent's arm, often used as a submission technique in wrestling, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts.
The fighter put his opponent in an armlock and forced a tap-out.
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Noun 2
a mechanical device or arrangement that locks or restrains an arm or lever (less common, literal sense).
The gate's armlock prevented the arm from moving during maintenance.
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Verb 1
to place someone into an armlock; to immobilize or control by applying an armlock.
He armlocked his opponent during the ground fight.
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Last updated: 2025/10/16 20:00