arresting

Definitions

From arrest: ar- (ad-, toward) + rest (a form of st, 'stand/stop') = to make something stand still. Literally to stop someone; figuratively, an arresting image 'stops you in your tracks' — it seizes and holds your attention.

Why It Means This

The leap from 'arrest a criminal' to 'an arresting beauty' is the same image: something so striking it stops you mid-motion, freezes you in place. The eye is 'arrested' the way a fugitive is.

Common Collocations

• 1.arresting sight引人注目的景象
• 2.arresting image震撼的画面
• 3.arresting beauty摄人心魄的美

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The gallery's most arresting painting was a portrait in red.

• 2.

  She has an arresting face that's hard to forget.

• 3.

  The film opens with an arresting image of a burning city.