Armature refers to a structure or framework that gives shape or support to a device, sculpture, or machine. In engineering and electronics, it can denote a skeletal framework or coil carrier; in sculpture, it provides the underlying support for a sculpture. The term also appears in metallurgy and anatomy, where it describes a supporting frame. The concept centers on a rigid internal structure that defines form and bears load.
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"The artist built an armature of steel rods to support the clay sculpture."
"The electric motor uses a wound armature inside the rotor."
"During excavation, archaeologists found an armature-like framework that hinted at the original design."
"The technician replaced the damaged armature to restore the machine's alignment."
Armature comes from French armature, from armature ‘equipment with arms or armor,’ from Late Latin armatura, from arma ‘arms, weapons’ and the suffix -tura denoting a result or tool. The root arma indicates something that arms or equips, and the sense extended from military hardware to any supporting framework. In English, the term appears in the 17th century in mechanical engineering, originally to describe a frame or skeleton that bears a load or carries components. As technology evolved, armature acquired specialized senses: in sculpture, a light internal skeleton of wires or rods; in electrical engineering, the rotating part of a motor/ generator that carries windings; in anatomy, a bony or cartilaginous frame. The word carried connotations of structure and support, gradually broadening to metaphorical uses like “armature of policy.” First known use in English literature traces to discussions of mechanical frameworks and prosthetic devices, with refined usage in the 18th–19th centuries as engineering and the arts embraced more intricate internal supports. The term’s adaptability across disciplines reflects its core meaning: a guiding, supporting skeleton that holds a system together and shapes its form.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "armature" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "armature"
-ure sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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You say AR-muh-tyoor with the first syllable stressed. In IPA for US: ˈɑːr.mə.tʃɚ, UK: ˈɑː.mjə.tjə, AU often ˈɑːˌmjuː.tʃə. The second syllable is a schwa-like /ə/, and the final -ture ends with a /tʃər/ or /tjə/ sound depending on accent. Visualize starting with a broad A, then a soft ‘m’ into a light ‘ture’ to avoid t-sound blending. Audio reference: listen for the clear first-stress pattern on the syllable AR and a gentle, non-syllabic conclude.”,
Common pitfalls: (1) Misplacing stress on the second or third syllable; always keep primary stress on AR. (2) Slurring or deleting the /t/ in the final -ture, producing ‘arm-uh-yer’ or ‘arm-uh-ya.’ (3) Vowel quality in the middle syllable; avoid a pure /ɪ/ or /ɛ/—aim for a full schwa /ə/. Practice by isolating AR- and then adding -mə- to approach the correct /mər/ or /mə/ transition. Consistent articulatory focus on the /tʃ/ + /ər/ ending will improve accuracy.”,
US: AR-mə-ture with rhotic /ɹ/ in some speakers; final -ture tends toward /tʃɚ/. UK: AR-mjʊ-tjə or AR-mjə-tyə with a palatalized middle and a softer final vowel. AU: ARG: roughly AR-mju- with a three-syllable rhythm and a closer middle vowel; final -ture can reduce to -tjə. Across accents, the key differences are rhoticity of the final /ɹ/ or its absence, and the treatment of the middle vowel and the /tʃ/ vs /tj/ cluster at the end. Use IPA references to anchor accuracy.”,
The difficulty comes from the non-phonemic middle cluster and the final -ture, which merges sounds differently across accents. The sequence AR + m + a + ture requires careful coordination: a broad initial open vowel, then a light /m/ transition into a palatalized /tʃ/ or /tjə/ ending. The /tʃ/ or /tj/ blend often causes listeners to misplace stress or distort the vowel length. Focusing on the three distinct syllables and practicing with minimal pairs helps stabilize the rhythm and articulation.
A unique aspect is the transition from the hard, open initial vowel to the mid-to-short middle vowel, then into a soft, palatal-ending cluster that can feel like /tʃɚ/ or /tjə/ depending on accent. Practitioners should emphasize clearing the zip of the jaw as you move from AR to -ma- to -ture, ensuring air flows smoothly through the middle and the end without excessive pressure. This precise vowel and consonant sequencing helps distinguish it from close-looking words like 'armory' or 'amateur'.
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