armouries
|ar-mour-ies|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑɹməriz/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːmə.riːz/
(armoury)
place or stock of weapons
Etymology
'armoury' (plural 'armouries') originates from Old French, specifically the word 'armerie' or 'armurerie', where 'arme' meant 'weapon' (from Latin 'arma').
'armoury' changed from Old French 'armerie' / 'armurerie' into Middle English forms such as 'armourie' and eventually became the modern English word 'armoury' (US variant 'armory').
Initially it meant 'a place or stock of arms', and over time it has retained that primary meaning while also coming to refer to workshops for making/repairing arms and to museums/collections of arms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a place where arms and military equipment are stored; a repository for weapons.
The armouries contained muskets, swords and other military gear from the 18th century.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a workshop or establishment where weapons and armour are made, repaired, or maintained (an armorer's shop).
The medieval fortress's armouries repaired suits of armour and sharpened blades for the garrison.
Synonyms
Noun 3
a (often named) collection or museum of arms and armour — e.g. the Royal Armouries or other public collections.
We spent the afternoon at the Armouries admiring medieval helmets and swords.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/17 04:50