Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ARREIST, ARREST, n. and v. [ə′rist]
1. n. The legal seizure of a person's wages in payment of debt; or the legal apprehension of a person for any cause. Also the decree or authority for such a seizure.Sc. 1932 A.C.M.:
As a noun this abbreviation of “arrestment” is not now used to describe a legal attachment of wages or other moveable estate in the hands of a third party: but it is constantly used and has long been used to describe the legal apprehension of a person, as in the phrase “Warrant for his arrest.”
2. v. To seize (property) by legal warrant; to apprehend a person by legal warrant. (Now only in Scotch and Admiralty Law. N.E.D.)Sc. 1931 Abd. Press and Jnl. (14 Dec.):
League club's “Gate” [i.e. entrance money] arrested.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) IV. 280:
Gang away ower to Mr Mather, o' the Bell, an' just see what the carriage an' horses are like; for I wadna wonder if ye had to arrest them yet for your expenses. Colloquially the aphetic form reist is common.
