arrestment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalFormal / Legal
Quick answer
What does “arrestment” mean?
The action of arresting someone or something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action of arresting someone or something; the state of being arrested.
In legal/financial contexts, especially Scots law: a legal seizure of property or assets to secure a debt or claim.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'arrestment' is strongly associated with Scots law. In American English, it is rarely used, with 'arrest', 'seizure', or 'attachment' preferred. In general American legal usage, the term is archaic or specialised.
Connotations
In UK (Scots law), it connotes a specific legal procedure. In US, it sounds archaic or overly formal. In general English, its use outside specific legal systems may be seen as pretentious or obscure.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Its use is almost entirely confined to legal texts, historical documents, or discussions of Scots law.
Grammar
How to Use “arrestment” in a Sentence
arrestment of [property/assets/debtor/ship]arrestment on the [dependency/person]to seek/obtain/effect an arrestmentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arrestment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The creditor sought to arrest the debtor's bank account.
- The vessel was arrested in the port of Glasgow.
American English
- The plaintiff moved to attach the defendant's assets.
- Authorities seized the property.
adverb
British English
- The funds were held arrestedly pending trial.
- The ship was detained arrestingly.
American English
- The assets were held pursuant to the order.
- The property was seized effectively.
adjective
British English
- The arrestment order was granted ex parte.
- They discussed the arrestable grounds.
American English
- The seizure order was approved.
- They discussed the attachable assets.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in international trade finance or shipping law referring to the seizure of cargo or ships.
Academic
Used in legal history, comparative law (Scots law), and admiralty law papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Arrest' is the everyday term.
Technical
Core term in Scots law for a pre-judgment security measure; used in admiralty law for the detention of a ship.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arrestment”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arrestment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arrestment”
- Using 'arrestment' in everyday contexts where 'arrest' is meant.
- Confusing it with 'arraignment' (a court procedure).
- Misspelling as 'arrestmant' or 'arestment'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While related, 'arrest' typically refers to depriving a person of liberty. 'Arrestment' is a specialised legal term, primarily in Scots law, for seizing property or assets to secure a claim.
It is not recommended. Its use outside specific legal contexts (especially Scots or admiralty law) will sound unnatural or overly formal. Use 'arrest', 'seizure', or 'attachment' instead.
In Scots law, 'arrestment' applies to movable property in third-party hands, while 'attachment' applies to movable property in the debtor's own possession. In general English, 'attachment' is the more common term for seizing assets.
The direct verb is 'to arrest' (in the legal sense of seizing property). The noun 'arrestment' derives from this verb. You would say 'to arrest the funds', not 'to arrestment the funds'.
The action of arresting someone or something.
Arrestment is usually formal / legal in register.
Arrestment: in British English it is pronounced /əˈrɛstmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈrɛstmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARReST-MENT' - a formal MENTion or action of an ARReST on property, not just a person.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL ACTION IS PHYSICAL CAPTURE (extending the metaphor of 'arrest' from people to property).
Practice
Quiz
In which legal system is the term 'arrestment' a standard technical procedure?