v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Arrested; p. pr. & vb. n. Arresting. ] [ OE. aresten, OF. arester, F. arrêter, fr. LL. arrestare; L. ad + restare to remain, stop; re + stare to stand. See Rest remainder. ] 1. To stop; to check or hinder the motion or action of; as, to arrest the current of a river; to arrest the senses. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor could her virtues the relentless hand
Of Death arrest. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) To take, seize, or apprehend by authority of law; as, to arrest one for debt, or for a crime. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ After this word Shakespeare uses of (“I arrest thee of high treason”) or on; the modern usage is for. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To seize on and fix; to hold; to catch; as, to arrest the eyes or attention. Buckminster. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To rest or fasten; to fix; to concentrate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We may arrest our thoughts upon the divine mercies. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To obstruct; delay; detain; check; hinder; stop; apprehend; seize; lay hold of. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To tarry; to rest. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. arest, arrest, OF. arest, F. arrêt, fr. arester. See Arrest, v. t., Arr&unr_;t. ] 1. The act of stopping, or restraining from further motion, etc.; stoppage; hindrance; restraint; as, an arrest of development. [ 1913 Webster ]

As the arrest of the air showeth. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) The taking or apprehending of a person by authority of law; legal restraint; custody. Also, a decree, mandate, or warrant. [ 1913 Webster ]

William . . . ordered him to be put under arrest. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Our brother Norway ] sends out arrests
On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ An arrest may be made by seizing or touching the body; but it is sufficient in the party be within the power of the officer and submit to the arrest. In Admiralty law, and in old English practice, the term is applied to the seizure of property. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any seizure by power, physical or moral. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sad stories of fire from heaven, the burning of his sheep, etc., . . . were sad arrests to his troubled spirit. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Far.) A scurfiness of the back part of the hind leg of a horse; -- also named rat-tails. White. [ 1913 Webster ]

Arrest of judgment (Law), 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. arrestation, LL. arrestatio. ] Arrest. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The arrestation of the English resident in France was decreed by the National Convention. H. M. Williams. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Arrest, v. ] (Scots Law) The person in whose hands is the property attached by arrestment. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who arrests. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Scots Law) The person at whose suit an arrestment is made. [ Also written arrestor. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Striking; attracting attention; impressive. [ 1913 Webster ]

This most solemn and arresting occurrence. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to arrest. McCosh. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. arrestement. ] 1. (Scots Law) The arrest of a person, or the seizure of his effects; esp., a process by which money or movables in the possession of a third party are attached. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A stoppage or check. Darwin. [ 1913 Webster ]