The rotating coil in an electric motor or generator; also refers to a framework or structure that supports something, or protective covering like armor.
From French armature, derived from Latin armatura (armor or equipment). In electrical engineering, the term was adopted in the 19th century because the coil 'arms' the motor with rotating force, similar to how armor arms a warrior.
One word describes both medieval knight armor and modern electric motors because both are about using structure to channel and direct force—medieval armor channels sword blows, electric armatures channel electromagnetic force into rotational motion.
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