Arrested

/əˈrɛstɪd/

verbBeginnerVery CommonLegal

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To take someone into custody by legal authority.

/əˈrɛstɪd/

verbneutralBeginner
Legal

To seize and detain under the authority of the law.

The police arrested the thief.

💡 Simply: To stop someone and take them to jail.

More Examples

2

He was arrested for shoplifting.

How It's Used

Law Enforcement

"The police arrested him for speeding."

Legal

"The suspect was arrested and charged with murder."

2

Stopped or prevented from further progress.

/əˈrɛstɪd/

adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General

Stopped or hindered.

The growth of the plant was arrested by the frost.

💡 Simply: Stopped from growing or progressing.

More Examples

2

His career was arrested by a serious injury.

How It's Used

Medical

"His development was arrested by the illness."

Tip:Think of development being stopped or 'arrested'.

From the past participle of the verb "arrest," ultimately from Old French "arrester" meaning "to stop, seize."

The word has long held its core meaning of 'seized' but the less common adjectival use describing a halting of development emerged later.

Memory tip

Think of 'rest' as in to stop someone's movements.

Base: arrest
arestedarresteddarrestd

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written