'arrect' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arrectus', where 'ad-' (appearing as 'ar-' before r) meant 'to/toward' and 'regere' (or 'rigere' in related forms) meant 'to straighten, to raise'.

'arrect' changed from Latin 'arrectus' into Late Latin/Old French and then into Middle English forms such as 'arrecten' or 'arrec't', eventually appearing in Early Modern English as the rare/archaic form 'arrect'.

Initially, it meant 'made upright' or 'caused to stand up'; over time it retained that basic sense but became rare/archaic in general English, surviving mainly in technical or fixed compounds (e.g. 'arrector').