forearm

From fore- +‎ arm. Compare Dutch voorarm (“forearm”), Danish forarm (“forearm”), German Vorderarm (“forearm”).

• (Received Pronunciation)
  • (noun) IPA^(key): /ˈfɔːˌɹɑːm/

    • Audio (Southern England):

      (file)

  • (verb) IPA^(key): /ˌfɔːˈɹɑːm/

    • Audio (Southern England):

      (file)

• (General American)
  • (noun) IPA^(key): /ˈfɔɹˌɑɹm/

    • Audio (New Mexico):

      (file)

  • (verb) IPA^(key): /ˌfɔɹˈɑɹm/

forearm (plural forearms)

2. (anatomy) The part of the arm between the wrist and the elbow.
3. (firearms) A section of the weapon between the receiver and the muzzle, used to hold the firearm steady.

• (part of the arm): antebrachium, lower arm
• (part of a weapon): forestock, handguard

• (part of the arm): brachium, upper arm, aftarm

forearm (third-person singular simple present forearms, present participle forearming, simple past and past participle forearmed)

1. (transitive, sometimes figurative) To arm in preparation.
   • 2013, Peter Marris, Widows and Their Families, page 20:

     But in so far as they were able to forearm themselves against the anxieties of bereavement, the loss may have been that much easier to face.

• This verb is quite rare, except in the participial adjective forearmed, found in the common adage forewarned is forearmed.