unarmed
/ˌʌnˈɑːmd/ (bre, ipa) · [ənˈɑrmd] /ˌʌnˈɑːrmd/ (ame, ipa) · [ənˈɑrmd] /ˌən-ˈärmd How to pronounce unarmed (audio)/ (ame, mw)
unarmed — adjective
- unarmedpositive
- more unarmedcomparative
- most unarmedsuperlative
1. having no guns, knives, or other weapons available, or happening without anyone
having no guns, knives, or other weapons available, or happening without anyone using such weapons.
Police confirmed that the man was unarmed when officers stopped him.
common news pattern: suspect was unarmed
Aylin felt safer after learning the guard at the museum was unarmed.
The march stayed unarmed, with parents pushing strollers beside the students.
Because their jeep was unarmed, the rangers called for military backup.
- weaponless
very close in meaning, but less common and slightly more formal or literary
- defenseless
stronger; suggests being unable to protect yourself, not just lacking weapons
- disarmed
suggests weapons were taken away, rather than simply not being carried
- armed
having weapons ready to use
用法筆記
Often used in news or official reports about suspects, civilians, guards, patrols, or vehicles. The key point is the absence of weapons, not whether the person or group is calm, harmless, or unable to resist in other ways.
2. (of a plant or animal) having no thorns, stings, spines, or similar sharp parts
(of a plant or animal) having no thorns, stings, spines, or similar sharp parts for protection.
This unarmed rose variety is safer for children to pick.
garden use: unarmed rose variety
Farmers prefer unarmed cactus plants when they train them along fences.
The guide showed us an unarmed caterpillar with smooth green sides.
Biologists noted that the unarmed fish lacked the sharp spines of related species.
用法筆記
This sense appears mainly in botanical or zoological description. In everyday English, speakers usually choose more specific words such as 'thornless', 'spineless', or 'stingless', depending on the kind of structure that is missing.