Arrest | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Ar-rēst’, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. ARRESTED; p. pr. & vb. n. ARRESTING.] [Fr. arrêter, O. Fr. arrester, arester, arestier, aresteir, Pr. & Sp. arrestar, It. & L. Lat. arrestare, from Lat. ad and restare, to stay back, to remain. See REST.]

Sense 1. To obstruct; to stop; to check or hinder the motion or action of; as, to arrest the current of a river; to arrest the senses.

Nor could her virtues the relentless hand Of Death arrest. Philips.

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

☞ After this word Shakespeare uses of (“I arrest thee of high treason”); the modern usage is for.

Sense 3. To seize on and fix; to engage; to catch; as, to arrest the eyes, or attention. Buckminster.

☞ Shakespeare says, “We arrest your word,” i. e., seize on and hold you to it.

Sense 4. To rest or fasten. [Obs.] “We may arrest our thoughts upon the divine mercies.” Bp. Taylor.

Synonyms—To obstruct; delay; detain; check; hinder; stop; apprehend; seize; lay hold of.

Ar-rĕst', v. i.

verbintransitive

To tarry; to rest. [Obs.] Spenser.

Ar-rĕst’, n.

noun

n. [Fr. arrêt, O. Fr. & Pr. arrest, O. Sp. & It. arresto, L. Lat. arrestum, arresta. See supra.]

A stop, hinderance, or restraint. [Obs.] “As the arrest of the air showeth.” Bacon.
(Law.) The taking or apprehending of a person by authority of law.

☞— An arrest may be made by seizing or touching the body; but it is sufficient if 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. 3. Any taking by power, physical or moral. The sad stories of fire from heaven, the burning of his sheep, &c., . . . were sad arrests to his troubled spirit. Bp. Taylor. 4. (Far.) A scurfiness of the back part of the hind leg of a horse;—also named rat-tails. White.