armpiece en · NOUN
Etymology
From arm + piece.
Meanings
-
A piece of armour that protects the arm.
“Go, my good St. John,—in an arm-piece of the Milanese armor that hangs on the wall, thou’lt find the Seal!”
1881, Mark Twain, chapter 32, in The Prince and the Pauper, New York: Charles L. Webster, page 267:
-
(colloquial, idiomatic) A decorative companion.
Years of being his armpiece have taught her exactly how to handle this situation; she is suddenly sure of it.
2004, Rique Johnson, Whispers from a Troubled Heart, page 120:Madeline was in on the routine, and shortly after Louise exited, the swain and his armpiece departed for their outing to Little's Music Shop.
2007, Jane Hamilton, When Madeline Was Young, page 116:He'd decided to take her because she was the best looking armpiece of all, and as long as she kept her mouth shut, he'd be the envy of every man there.
2000, Jackie Collins, Dangerous Kiss, page 251:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| arm-piece | alternative | lexicographic | |
| armpieces | Number=Plur | lexicographic |