n.

1. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal);
   apprehension, catch, collar, pinch, taking into custody
   
   • the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
2. the state of inactivity following an interruption;
   check, halt, hitch, stay, stop, stoppage
   
   • the negotiations were in arrest
   • held them in check
   • during the halt he got some lunch
   • the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
   • he spent the entire stop in his seat

v.

1. take into custody;
   collar, nail, apprehend, pick up, nab, cop
   
   • the police nabbed the suspected criminals
2. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of;
   check, turn back, stop, contain, hold back
   
   • Arrest the downward trend
   • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
   • Contain the rebel movement
   • Turn back the tide of communism
3. attract and fix;
   catch, get
   
   • His look caught her
   • She caught his eye
   • Catch the attention of the waiter
4. cause to stop;
   halt, hold
   
   • Halt the engines
   • Arrest the progress
   • halt the presses