'ARMATURE, noun [Latin armatura.] 1. Armor; that which defends the body. It comprehends whatever is worn for defense of the body, and has been sometimes used for offensive weapons. armature like arms and armor, is used also of the furniture of animals and vegetables, evidently intended for their protection; as prickles, spines and horns. 2. In ancient military art, an exercise performed with missive weapons, as darts, spears and arrows.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI