wappnen
Translation
to arm, to brace oneself, to prepare
Examples
Man muss sich gegen die Kälte wappnen.
One must arm oneself against the cold.
Er wappnete sich mit Geduld für das lange Warten.
He armed himself with patience for the long wait.
Grammar Patterns
to arm oneself ((against sth.)) Wir müssen uns gegen die Konkurrenz wappnen.
to arm oneself ((with sth.)) Sie wappnete sich mit Argumenten für die Debatte.
Similar Words
Synonyms: rüsten (to arm), vorbereiten (to prepare), ausrüsten (to equip); Antonyms: entwaffnen (to disarm)
Etymology
Derived from 'das Wappen' (coat of arms), which is related to 'die Waffe' (weapon). The original meaning is to equip with weapons or armour.
Memory Tips
Imagine a knight putting on his armour, which bears his 'Wappen' (coat of arms), to 'wappnen' (arm/prepare) himself for battle.