armature
armature Lexical Profile
armature Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A skeletal framework or internal structure used to support a sculpture being modeled in clay, wax, or other pliable material.
"The sculptor carefully bent the wire armature into the shape of a leaping horse before applying the first layer of clay."
The rotating part of a dynamo, electric motor, or generator, typically consisting of coils of wire wound around an iron core.
"When the vintage fan stopped working, the mechanic discovered that the copper windings on the motor's armature had completely burned out."
The protective covering, spines, or defensive structures of an animal or plant.
"The heavy, bony armature of the armadillo protects it from the sharp teeth of most predators."
Word Nuance & Usage
The exact meaning of 'armature' shifts significantly by field: in fine art, it denotes an internal support structure for a sculpture, while in electrical engineering, it refers to the rotating coil within a motor or generator.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Late Middle English (originally denoting armor or defensive equipment), derived from Latin 'armatura' meaning 'armor or equipment', from the verb 'armare' (to arm).