2. An ancient astronomical instrument.
Note: When composed of one ring placed in the plane of the equator for determining the time of the equinoxes, it is called an equinoctial armil; when of two or more rings, one in the plane of the meridian, for observing the solstices, it is called a solstitial armil. Whewell.
ARMILLA
Ar*mil"la, n.; pl. E. Armillas, L. Armillæ. Etym: [L., a bracelet.]
1. An armil.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A ring of hair or feathers on the legs.
ARMILLARY Ar"mil*la*ry, a. Etym: [LL. armillarius, fr. L. armilla arm ring, bracelet, fr. armus arm: cf. F. armillaire. See Arm, n.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a bracelet or ring; consisting of rings or circles. Armillary sphere, an ancient astronomical machine composed of an assemblage of rings, all circles of the same sphere, designed to represent the positions of the important circles of the celestial sphere. Nichol.
ARMING
Arm"ing, n.
1. The act of furnishing with, or taking, arms. The arming was now universal. Macaulay.