dis·arm / disˈärm/ • v. [tr.] 1. take a weapon or weapons away from (a person, force, or country): guerrillas had completely disarmed and demobilized their forces. ∎  [intr.] (of a country or force) give up or reduce its armed forces or weapons: the other militias had disarmed by the agreed deadline. ∎  remove the fuse from (a bomb), making it safe. ∎  deprive (a ship, etc.) of its means of defense.2. allay the hostility or suspicions of: his tact and political skills will disarm critics. ∎  deprive of the power to injure or hurt: camp humor acts to provoke rather than disarm moral indignation.

disarm XIV. — (O)F. désarmer; see DIS- 2, ARM 2.
So disarmament XVIII.

disarm To put a device into a state that is still serviceable but requires a preparatory action before it can be used.