armature

noun

ar·​ma·​ture ˈär-mə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

: an organ or structure (such as teeth or thorns) for offense or defense

2

a

: a piece of soft iron or steel that connects the poles of a magnet or of adjacent magnets

b

: a usually rotating part of an electric machine (such as a generator or motor) which consists essentially of coils of wire around a metal core and in which electric current is induced or in which the input current interacts with a magnetic field to produce torque

c

: the movable part of an electromagnetic device (such as a loudspeaker)

d

: a framework used by a sculptor to support a figure being modeled in a plastic material

e

: framework sense 1a

events that serve as the armature of the book

Synonyms

• architecture
• cadre
• configuration
• edifice
• fabric
• frame
• framework
• framing
• infrastructure
• shell
• skeleton
• structure

Examples of armature in a Sentence

the rigid armature of a highly stratified society

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, Aardman has upgraded its stop-motion Wallace and Gromit puppets with improved plasticine clay, more silicone and resin, and better armatures and mouth replacement. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2024

Fraser created the moving figures made of plaster and a metal armature. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Dec. 2024

At the museum, two of her ceramic stumps, or armatures, sit several feet high, both a fleshy pink with streaks of white and red. —Scarlet Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

The two largest sculptures (SCENE 1 and SCENE 2, both 2024) rested flat on the floor, their tan velvet curtains billowing in unlikely swags over aluminum armatures that resembled painting stretchers. —Ellen Y. Tani, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "armor, armed force," borrowed from Latin armātūra "armament, troop" (Medieval Latin, "suit of armor, defensive equipment of an animal"), from armātus, past participle of armāre "to arm entry 2, equip" + -ūra -ure

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

armature

noun

ar·​ma·​ture ˈär-mə-chər 

-ˌchu̇(ə)r

1

: a covering or structure (as the spines of a cactus) used for protection or defense

2

: the part of an electric generator that consists of coils of wire around an iron core and that induces an electric current when it is rotated in a magnetic field

3

: the part of an electric motor that consists of coils of wire around an iron core and that is caused to rotate in a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through the coils

4

: the movable part of an electromagnetic device (as a loudspeaker)