The word “arrest” is a commonly used term in the English language, often associated with law enforcement and legal contexts. Understanding the arrest meaning is essential for grasping discussions about crime, justice, and authority. This versatile word can function as both a verb and a noun, making it a key term in everyday and professional conversations.
Definition (Meaning)
The term “arrest” primarily refers to the act of taking someone into custody, typically by law enforcement, due to suspicion of a crime. It can also mean to stop or halt something, such as a process or development.
Synonyms
Some common arrest synonyms include apprehend, detain, seize, and capture when used in the context of taking someone into custody. In the sense of stopping something, synonyms may include halt, stop, or check.
Examples of arrest in a Sentence
- The police had to arrest the suspect after finding evidence at the crime scene.
- Medications were used to arrest the progression of the disease in its early stages.
- She witnessed the officers arrest a man for shoplifting in the store.
Word History
The word “arrest” originates from the Old French term “arester,” meaning to stop or stay, which itself comes from the Latin “ad-” (to) and “restare” (to stand still). It entered the English language in the 14th century, initially carrying the broader sense of stopping or hindering before evolving to specifically denote the act of detaining someone in a legal context. Over time, its usage expanded to include both literal and figurative meanings.