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definitions

arrest

[uh-rest]
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verb (used with object)

noun

Idioms

    under arrest, in custody of the police or other legal authorities: They placed the suspect under arrest at the scene of the crime.

Origin of arrest

1275–1325; (v.) Middle English aresten < Anglo-French, Middle French arester, < Vulgar Latin *arrestāre to stop (see ar-, rest2); (noun) Middle English arest(e) < Anglo-French, Old French, noun derivative of v.
Related formsar·rest·a·ble, adjectivear·rest·ment, nounpost·ar·rest, adjectivepre·ar·rest, verb (used with object)pre·ar·rest·ment, nounre·ar·rest, verb (used with object), nounun·ar·rest·a·ble, adjectiveun·ar·rest·ed, adjective

Synonyms for arrest

1. apprehend. 2. secure, rivet, occupy. 3. stay. 5. detention, apprehension, imprisonment. 7. stoppage, halt, stay, check.

Synonym study

3. See stop.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for arrestment

Historical Examples of arrestment

  • Arrestment on arrestment falls quick, continual; followed by death.

    The French Revolution

    Thomas Carlyle

  • Arrestment on arrestment follows quick, continual; "The guillotine goes not ill."

  • The first of these is the bill which he introduced last session with the object of limiting the arrestment of wages.

    Western Worthies

    J. Stephen Jeans

  • If these be passed, it usually spreads up the leg to just below the knee before signs of arrestment appear.

    Manual of Surgery

    Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

  • No passage Spainward from the Thames; well if arrestment do not suddenly come from the Thames!

British Dictionary definitions for arrestment

arrestment

noun

Scots law the seizure of money or property to prevent a debtor paying one creditor in advance of another

arrest

verb (tr)

to deprive (a person) of liberty by taking him into custody, esp under lawful authority
to seize (a ship) under lawful authority
to slow or stop the development or progress of (a disease, growth, etc)
to catch and hold (one's attention, sight, etc)
arrest judgment law to stay proceedings after a verdict, on the grounds of error or possible error
can't get arrested informal (of a performer) is unrecognized and unsuccessfulhe can't get arrested here but is a megastar in the States

noun

the act of taking a person into custody, esp under lawful authority
the act of seizing and holding a ship under lawful authority
the state of being held, esp under lawful authorityunder arrest
Also called: arrestation (ˌærɛsˈteɪʃən) the slowing or stopping of the development or progress of something
the stopping or sudden cessation of motion of somethinga cardiac arrest

Word Origin for arrest

C14: from Old French arester, from Vulgar Latin arrestāre (unattested), from Latin ad at, to + restāre to stand firm, stop
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for arrestment

arrest

v.

"to cause to stop," also "to detain legally," late 14c., from Old French arester "to stay, stop" (Modern French arrêter), from Vulgar Latin *arrestare (source of Italian arrestare, Spanish and Portuguese arrestar), from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + restare "to stop, remain behind, stay back" (see rest (n.2)). Figurative sense of "to catch and hold" (the attention, etc.) is from 1814.

arrest

n.

late 14c., from Anglo-French arest, Old French areste, from arester (see arrest (v.)).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
arrestment in Medicine

arrest

[ə-rĕst′]

v.

To stop; check.
To undergo cardiac arrest.

n.

An interference with or a checking of the regular course of a disease or symptom, a stoppage.
Interference with the performance of a function.
The inhibition of a developmental process, usually the ultimate stage of development.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with arrestment

arrest

see under arrest.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.