v. & n.
v.tr. 1 a seize (a person) and take into custody, esp. by legal authority. b seize (a ship) by legal authority. 2 stop or check (esp. a process or moving thing). 3 a attract (a person's attention). b attract the attention of (a person).
n. 1 the act of arresting or being arrested, esp. the legal seizure of a person. 2 a stoppage or check (cardiac arrest). arrest of judgement Law the staying of proceedings, notwithstanding a verdict, on the grounds of a material irregularity in the course of the trial. arrestingly adv.
[ ME f. OF arester ult. f. L restare remain, stop ]