Forearming

/fɔrˈɑrmɪŋ/ verb

Definition

The act of preparing or equipping someone with weapons or tools in advance of a challenge or conflict.

Etymology

From Old English 'fore-' (before) + 'arm' (to equip with weapons). The prefix 'fore-' indicates doing something beforehand, while 'arm' originally meant to provide with weapons, later generalizing to equip with anything needed.

Kelly Says

In medieval warfare, forearming troops before battle was literally a matter of life and death—soldiers who didn't get their weapons early enough might face enemies with nothing but hope. This word captures that desperate race against time.

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