grap·ple
(grăṕəl)
[Middle English grapel, from Old French grapil diminutive of grape, hook; see grape.]
noun
- An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron
- Nautical See grapnel
- The act of grappling.
- A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to clutch or grip each other.
- A struggle for superiority or dominance.
verb: -pled, -pling, -ples.
transitive verb
- To seize and hold, as with a grapple.
- To seize firmly, as with the hands.
intransitive verb
- To hold onto something with or as if with a grapple.
- To use a grapple or similar device, as for dragging.
- To struggle, in or as if in wrestling: grappled with their consciences; grapple with the political realities of our time.
derivatives
- graṕpler
- noun
grap·nel
(grăṕnəl)
[Middle English grapenel, probably ultimately from Old French grapin, hook diminutive of grape; see grape.]
noun
- Nautical A small anchor with three or more flukes, especially one used for anchoring a small vessel. Also called grapple, grappling
- See grapple
