armature Definition

1. engineering.
The moving part of an electromagnetic device in which a voltage is induced by a magnetic field, eg the rotating wire-wound coil of an electric motor or generator.
2. A piece of soft iron placed across the two poles of a permanent magnet that is not in use, in order to preserve its magnetic properties. Also called keeper (sense 6).
3. A wire or wooden framework that forms the support for a sculpture as it is being modelled.