armature

Armature is a term used in biology, art, and electrical engineering to denote a rigid framework that provides structural support. In general, it refers to either a physical skeleton, a supporting internal framework for a sculpture, or the winding assembly in an electrical machine that carries current.

In living organisms, the armature refers to the internal skeletal framework of bones and cartilage that supports soft tissues and gives the body its shape. The term is also used in paleontology to describe the internal skeleton or scaffold that supports fossilized remains. The concept emphasizes structural support rather than external appearance.

In sculpture and modeling, an armature is a framework—often made of wire, metal mesh, or wood—built beneath a sculpture to support the material as it is formed. Armatures help maintain pose and prevent sagging, and they may be removed or left in place depending on the project.

In electrical engineering, the armature is the part of a rotating machine that carries the current. It contains windings or conductors that interact with a magnetic field to produce electromotive force. Depending on the machine design, the armature may be mounted on the rotor or on the stator; in many traditional DC machines, the armature is the rotating coil, while in some generators the armature is the winding that forms the output circuit.

Thus, armature denotes a primary supporting structure across disciplines, whether biological, artistic, or electrical.