arrest Hear it!

arrest definition

ar·rest (ə rest′)

transitive verb

  1. to stop or check the motion, course, or spread of
  2. to seize or take into custody by authority of the law
  3. to catch and keep (one's attention, sight, etc.)

Etymology: ME aresten < OFr arester < VL *arrestare < L ad-, to + restare, to stop, rest

noun

  1. an arresting or being arrested; esp., a taking or being taken into custody by authority of the law
  2. a thing for checking motion

Etymology: ME & OFr arest < the v.

Related Forms:

arrest Idioms

under arrest

in legal custody, as of the police

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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