Armlet

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(bracelet) Hebrew; a "fetter", from a root, "a step" ( Isaiah 3:18-20). (See Anklet .) A general ornament in the E. A badge of kings ( 2 Samuel 1:10). The signet was sometimes a jewel on the armlet; which explains, "Set me as a seal upon thine arm" ( Song of Solomon 8:6). Their weight (compare  Genesis 24:22), and their tightness on the arm (so that in putting them on blood is often drawn) make their female wearers pay dearly for their love of admiration.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Armlet. An ornament universal in the East, especially among women; used by princes as one of the insignia of royalty, and by distinguished persons in general. The word is not used in the Authorized Version, as even in  2 Samuel 1:10, it is rendered by "the bracelet on his arm."

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) A small arm; as, an armlet of the sea.

(2): (n.) An arm ring; a bracelet for the upper arm.

(3): (n.) Armor for the arm.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Numbers 31:50 2 Samuel 1:10 Isaiah 3:20

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Armlet . See Ornaments, § 4.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Fig. 52—Armlets

Although this word has the same meaning as bracelet, yet the latter is practically so exclusively used to denote the ornament of the wrist, that it seems proper to distinguish by armlet the similar ornament which is worn on the upper arm. There is also this difference between them, that in the East bracelets are generally worn by women, and armlets only by men. The armlet, however, is in use among men only as one of the insignia of sovereign power. The Egyptian kings are represented with armlets, which were also worn by the Egyptian women. These, however, are not jeweled, but of plain or enameled metal, as was in all likelihood the case among the Hebrews.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

arm´let  : The word translated "bracelet" in  2 Samuel 1:10 the King James Version, probably denotes an "armlet," or "arm-band," worn on the upper arm. But it is the same word which with a different context is rendered "ankle-chains" (in   Numbers 31:50 the Revised Version (British and American)). The "bracelet" of Sirach 21:21 the King James Version, worn upon the right arm, was an "armlet," as is seen from the list given of Judith's ornaments: who "decked herself bravely with her armlets (the Revised Version (British and American) 'chains') and her bracelets, and her rings, and her ear-rings, and all her ornaments" (Judith 10:4). The nature of the ornaments given in the Revised Version (British and American) as "armlets,"   Exodus 35:22;  Numbers 31:50 , and in the King James Version as "tablets," is uncertain. For full and distinguishing, descriptions of "arm-lets," "anklets," "bracelets," etc., found in ancient graves, see PEFS , 1905, 318ff. See also Ornament .