\Ar*rest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Arrested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Arresting}.] [OE. aresten, OF. arester, F. arr[^e]ter,
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.
         Nor could her virtues the relentless hand Of Death
         arrest.                               --Philips.
2. (Law) To take, seize, or apprehend by authority of law;
   as, to arrest one for debt, or for a crime.
Note: After this word Shakespeare uses of (``I arrest thee of
      high treason'') or on; the modern usage is for.
3. To seize on and fix; to hold; to catch; as, to arrest the
   eyes or attention. --Buckminster.
4. To rest or fasten; to fix; to concentrate. [Obs.]
         We may arrest our thoughts upon the divine mercies.
                                               --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To obstruct; delay; detain; check; hinder; stop;
     apprehend; seize; lay hold of.

\Ar*rest"\, v. i.
To tarry; to rest. [Obs.] --Spenser.

\Ar*rest"\, n. [OE. arest, arrest, OF. arest, F.
arr[^e]t, fr. arester. See {Arrest}, v. t., {Arr?t}.]
1. The act of stopping, or restraining from further motion,
   etc.; stoppage; hindrance; restraint; as, an arrest of
   development.
         As the arrest of the air showeth.     --Bacon.
2. (Law) The taking or apprehending of a person by authority
   of law; legal restraint; custody. Also, a decree, mandate,
   or warrant.
         William . . . ordered him to be put under arrest.
                                               --Macaulay.
         [Our brother Norway] sends out arrests On
         Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys. --Shak.
Note: 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.
3. Any seizure by power, physical or moral.
         The sad stories of fire from heaven, the burning of
         his sheep, etc., . . . were sad arrests to his
         troubled spirit.                      --Jer. Taylor.
4. (Far.) A scurfiness of the back part of the hind leg of a
   horse; -- also named rat-tails. --White.
{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.