arrest
uh-REST
/əˈrɛst/
To legally seize someone and take them into custody.
Implies formal legal action restricting a person's physical freedom.
The story behind the word. The word arrest traces back to the Old French 'arester', rooted in Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'restare' (to remain or stop). Originally, it meant to physically bring something or someone to a complete standstill.
Word relationships
- apprehend: Apprehend is more formal and emphasizes the physical act of capturing.
- detain: Detain implies holding someone temporarily without necessarily filing formal criminal charges.
- release: Release means to set free from custody or detention.
Commonly confused with
- detain: Detaining is temporary holding for questioning, while arresting involves formal criminal charges.
Word family
- arrested (adjective): Placed under legal custody or stopped
- arresting (adjective): Striking, eye-catching, or holding attention
- arrestee (noun): A person who has been arrested
Collocations
- make an arrest
- under arrest
- arrest warrant
- lawfully arrest
Idioms & expressions
- under arrest
Example sentences
- "Officers moved quickly to arrest the suspect before he could cross state lines." Police operation
- "The magistrate issued a formal judicial order to arrest the non-compliant witness." Legal documentation
Memory hook
To ARREST someone is to REST their movement by law. REST freedom of movement.
When not to use
Do not use for merely stopping someone briefly to ask directions without legal detention.
Fun facts
- In medical terminology, 'arrest' still retains its literal meaning of complete stopping, as in 'cardiac arrest'.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.