-s(t)mənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English arestment, from Middle French arestement, from Old French, from arester + -ment
1.
a. : the arrest of a person or the seizure of his personal property to secure his presence at a trial or the satisfaction of any judgment against him
b. Scots law : a process secured by a second creditor whereby a debtor is prohibited from making payment or delivery of movable property to one of his creditors until that creditor's debt to the second creditor is settled or secured — compare equitable attachment , garnishment , trustee process
c. Scots law : a process whereby the movable property of one domiciled outside of Scotland is seized in order to give jurisdiction against him — called also arrestment juridictionis fundae causa
2.
a. : the action of stopping or checking
b. : a stoppage or check