■ verb
1》 seize (someone) by legal authority and take them into custody.
↘seize and detain (a ship) by legal authority.
2》 stop or check (progress or a process).
3》 [usu. as adjective ~ing ] attract the attention of: an ~ing shade of blue.
■ noun
1》 the action of ~ing.
2》 a sudden cessation of motion: a cardiac ~.
Phrases
~ of judgement Law the suspension of proceedings in a criminal trial between the verdict and the sentence on the grounds of a material irregularity in the course of the trial.
Derivatives
~ee noun ( chiefly N. Amer. ).
~ingly adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. arester , based on L. ad- 'at, to' + restare 'remain, stop'.