armpiece

English

Armpiece (16th century, Italian)

Alternative forms

• arm-piece

Etymology

arm +‎ piece

Noun

armpiece (plural armpieces)

1. A piece of armour that protects the arm.
   • 1881, Mark Twain, chapter 32, in The Prince and the Pauper‎^[1], New York: Charles L. Webster, page 267:

     “Go, my good St. John,—in an arm-piece of the Milanese armor that hangs on the wall, thou’lt find the Seal!”

2. (colloquial) A decorative companion.

   Synonym: arm candy

   • 2000, Jackie Collins, Dangerous Kiss, page 251:

     He'd decided to take her because she was the best looking armpiece of all, and as long as she kept her mouth shut, he'd be the envy of every man there.

   • 2004, Rique Johnson, Whispers from a Troubled Heart, page 120:

     Years of being his armpiece have taught her exactly how to handle this situation; she is suddenly sure of it.

   • 2007, Jane Hamilton, When Madeline Was Young, page 116:

     Madeline was in on the routine, and shortly after Louise exited, the swain and his armpiece departed for their outing to Little's Music Shop.

Anagrams

• cream pie, creampie, impearce