verb (used with object)
to catch and hold; attract and fix; engage: The loud noise arrested our attention.
Medicine/Medical. to control or stop the active progress of (a disease): The new drug did not arrest the cancer.
the taking of a person into legal custody, as by officers of the law.
any seizure or taking by force.
an act of stopping or the state of being stopped: the arrest of tooth decay.
Machinery. any device for stopping machinery; stop.
under arrest, in custody of the police or other legal authorities: They placed the suspect under arrest at the scene of the crime.

1275–1325; (v.) Middle English aresten < Anglo-French, Middle French arester, < Vulgar Latin *arrestāre to stop (see ar-, rest2); (noun) Middle English arest(e) < Anglo-French, Old French, noun derivative of v.

arrestable, adjective
arrestment, noun
postarrest, adjective
prearrest, verb (used with object)
prearrestment, noun
rearrest, verb (used with object), noun
unarrestable, adjective
unarrested, adjective

1. apprehend. 2. secure, rivet, occupy. 3. stay. See stop. 5. detention, apprehension, imprisonment. 7. stoppage, halt, stay, check. Unabridged
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World English Dictionary
arrest (əˈrɛst)
1.  to deprive (a person) of liberty by taking him into custody, esp under lawful authority
2.  to seize (a ship) under lawful authority
3.  to slow or stop the development or progress of (a disease, growth, etc)
4.  to catch and hold (one's attention, sight, etc)
5.  law arrest judgment to stay proceedings after a verdict, on the grounds of error or possible error
6.  informal can't get arrested (of a performer) is unrecognized and unsuccessful: he can't get arrested here but is a megastar in the States
7.  the act of taking a person into custody, esp under lawful authority
8.  the act of seizing and holding a ship under lawful authority
9.  the state of being held, esp under lawful authority: under arrest
10.  Also called: arrestation the slowing or stopping of the development or progress of something
11.  the stopping or sudden cessation of motion of something: a cardiac arrest
[C14: from Old French arester, from Vulgar Latin arrestāre (unattested), from Latin ad at, to + restāre to stand firm, stop]

arrestable (əˈrɛstəbəl)
1.  liable to be arrested
2.  (of an offence) such that an offender may be arrested without a warrant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

arrest ar·rest (ə-rěst')
v. ar·rest·ed, ar·rest·ing, ar·rests

  1. To stop; check.

  2. To undergo cardiac arrest.

  1. An interference with or a checking of the regular course of a disease or symptom, a stoppage.

  2. Interference with the performance of a function.

  3. The inhibition of a developmental process, usually the ultimate stage of development.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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