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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Arrest, Arreist, v. Also: arreste, arest, areist. [ME. areste, arest (14th c.), OF. arester.]

1. tr. To cause to stop.1375 Barb. iii. 738 (the kingis folk thaim arestyt hastely); xvi. 281 (his host arestit he). ?1438 Alex. i. 2379 (thay arestit thame); 2878 (arrest thair hors). 1456 Hay I. 170/17 (folk evill till arreste fra bataill). c1475 Wall. x. 1120 (gyff ded me arest) a1500 Henr. Fab. 52 (schame can not him arreist). 15.. Christis K. 42 (no renk mycht him arrest). 1622-6 Bisset II. 70/27 (to arreist causis dependand befoir thaim).

b. To draw (rein). ?1438 Alex. i. 1202.
He had fellit thre Or euer his renȝe arrest wald he

c. To bring to a decision. c1450-2 Howlat 857.
At [= that] thar alleris request Mycht dame Natur arrest Of him for to rewe

d. intr. To stop, come to a stop. 1513 Doug. i. iv. 26.
Nane ankyr nedis mak thame arest nor byde Ib. iv. xii. 115.
Iris … abufe Dydoys hed arest kan

2. To lay hands on; to apprehend or take into custody; to take legal possession of.(a) 1375 Barb. i. 173 (he was arestyt syne and tane). 1397 Acts I. 208/1 (that he arrest sic a fugitiue mysdoer). c1420 Wynt. v. 962 (gert hym arestyd be and tane And send to presowne); viii. 3247 (till arest mysdoaris). 1456 Hay I. 177/4 (the baroun arrestis him as his prisounare). 1491 Treas. Acc. I. 184 (to arest the schippis at the west sey). 1503 Ib. II. 365 (to arest Gordounis gere). 1532 Reg. Privy S. II. 201/2 (to call, accuse, unlaw, arrest … the said Alexander). 1542 Ib. 754/2 (before quhatsumevir juge … thai be attechit or arrestit). 1672 Forbes Baron Ct. 289 (selling cornes that is arestit).(b) 1531 Treas. Acc. V. 440 (to arreist the sey revaris). 1555 Peebles B. Rec. 223 (the officeris atechit and arreistit Thomas Smyth). 1575 Conv. Burghs I. 39 (to poynd, areist, and distrenȝie at his plesour). a1578 Pitsc. II. 242/3 (the Scoittis schippes that war in France war all arreistit). 1622-6 Bisset I. 244/24 (the creditour may arreist the said dett). 1641 Peebles B. Rec. 105 (to arreist and incarcerat all violateris). 1661 Acts VII. 23/1 (to areist their goods).

3. To close by legal authority.1561 Inverness B. Rec. I. 70 (to arreist the brig, that na maner of man suld carye muke our it).

4. To fix upon. 1638 Blairs P. 119.
I am still purposit to mak the uoyage for Scotland . . , bott hes arrestitt no precise tyme