armure: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Literary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “armure” mean?
Metal protective covering worn in battle by soldiers or warriors.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Metal protective covering worn in battle by soldiers or warriors.
Any protective covering, layer, or technology designed to resist attack or damage; a defensive layer on a vehicle, animal, or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling only: 'armour' (UK) vs. 'armor' (US). No difference in pronunciation or core meaning.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties. Slightly more likely to appear in historical/fantasy contexts in general use.
Frequency
Equally standard in respective dialects. Technical military and engineering contexts use the term frequently in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “armure” in a Sentence
wearing armourclad in armourarmour against [something]armour made of [material]armour pierced/dentedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “armure” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vehicle was armoured to withstand small arms fire.
- He felt he needed to armour himself against their insults.
American English
- The vehicle was armored to withstand small arms fire.
- She armored herself emotionally before the debate.
adverb
British English
- The vehicle was heavily armoured. (Note: 'armoured' here is a verb participle used adjectivally; pure adverb form is rare)
American English
- The vehicle was heavily armored.
adjective
British English
- The armoured division advanced across the plain.
- An armoured personnel carrier provided cover.
American English
- The armored division advanced across the plain.
- An armored personnel carrier provided cover.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; metaphorical use in 'armour oneself against criticism' or 'financial armour'.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, and materials engineering contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing medieval history, modern police/military equipment, or metaphorically for emotional resilience.
Technical
Standard in military, vehicle design, and materials science (e.g., 'reactive armour', 'armour-piercing round').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “armure”
- Confusing spelling (armour/armor) in the wrong variety. Using 'armor' in a UK context. Misspelling as 'armor' or 'armour'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Armour' is the standard British English spelling, while 'armor' is the standard American English spelling.
No. While its most iconic use is for historical suits of plate or chain mail, it is widely used today for body armour (bulletproof vests), vehicle armour (tanks), and in metaphorical senses (emotional armour).
Yes, in the forms 'armour' (UK)/'armor' (US), meaning to provide with protective covering. It is common in technical and military contexts (e.g., 'to armour a vehicle').
It refers to a small but critical weakness in someone's argument, character, or defences that can be exploited.
Metal protective covering worn in battle by soldiers or warriors.
Armure is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Armure: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑː.mə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːr.mɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a chink in one's armour”
- “clad/buttoned up in armour”
- “armour-plated confidence”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a knight in a SUIT of ARMOUR, with ARM (arm) and MORE (mour) protection. 'Arm' protects your arm, 'mour' sounds like 'more' - you need MORE protection in battle.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS ARMOUR (e.g., 'She put on her emotional armour before the meeting.'); VULNERABILITY IS A GAP IN ARMOUR (e.g., 'His fear was the chink in his armour.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a metaphorical use of 'armour'?