Arrest — Defs

01 v. t. To stop; to check or hinder the motion or action of; as, to arrest the current of a river; to arrest the senses.

imp. & p. p. Arrested; p. pr. & vb. n. Arresting

1.
To stop; to check or hinder the motion or action of; as, to arrest the current of a river; to arrest the senses.
“Nor could her virtues the relentless hand Of Death arrest.” — Philips.
2.
To take, seize, or apprehend by authority of law; as, to arrest one for debt, or for a crime.(Law)
3.
To seize on and fix; to hold; to catch; as, to arrest the eyes or attention.
4.
To rest or fasten; to fix; to concentrate.[Obs.]
“We may arrest our thoughts upon the divine mercies.” — Jer. Taylor.

Syn. To obstruct; delay; detain; check; hinder; stop; apprehend; seize; lay hold of.

02 v. i. To tarry; to rest.

1.
To tarry; to rest.[Obs.]

03 n. The act of stopping, or restraining from further motion, etc.; stoppage; hindrance; restraint; as, an arrest of development.

1.
The act of stopping, or restraining from further motion, etc.; stoppage; hindrance; restraint; as, an arrest of development.
“As the arrest of the air showeth.” — Bacon.
2.
The taking or apprehending of a person by authority of law; legal restraint; custody. Also, a decree, mandate, or warrant.(Law)
“William . . . ordered him to be put under arrest.” — Macaulay.

“[Our brother Norway] sends out arrests On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys.” — Shak.
3.
Any seizure by power, physical or moral.
“The sad stories of fire from heaven, the burning of his sheep, etc., . . . were sad arrests to his troubled spirit.” — Jer. Taylor.
4.
A scurfiness of the back part of the hind leg of a horse; -- also named rat-tails.(Far.)

Phrases & compounds

Arrest of judgment — the staying or stopping of a judgment, after verdict, for legal cause. The motion for this purpose is called a motion in arrest of judgment.