Grapple

Definition of Grapple

Grap´ple
v. t.1.To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.
[imp. & p. p. Grappled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Grappling .]
2.To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.
The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
- Hakluyt.
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.
- Shak.
v. i.1.To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another.
To grapple with
to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously.
And in my standard bear the arms of York,
To grapple with the house of Lancaster.
- Shak.
n.1.A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold.
2.(Naut.) An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab.
The iron hooks and grapples keen.
- Spenser.
Grapple plant
(Bot.) a South African herb (Herpagophytum leptocarpum) having the woody fruits armed with long hooked or barbed thorns by which they adhere to cattle, causing intense annoyance.
Grapple shot
(Life-saving Service) a projectile, to which are attached hinged claws to catch in a ship's rigging or to hold in the ground; - called also anchor shot.

Related Words

abduct, adhere to, affix, anchor, annex, attach, battle, bear hug, belay, bite, box, brawl, broil, carry off, catch, cement, cinch, clamp, clash, cleave to, clench, clinch, cling, clinging, clip, close, collide, combat, come to blows, contend, contend with, contest, cope with, cramp, cut and thrust, deal with, death grip, duel, embrace, engraft, exchange blows, face, fasten, fence, feud, fight a duel, firm hold, fix, foothold, footing, freeze to, give and take, give satisfaction, grab, graft, grapple with, gripe, hang on, hang on to, hold, hold fast, hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hug, iron grip, jostle, joust, keep hold of, kidnap, knit, make fast, mix it up, moor, nab, nail, never let go, nip, purchase, put to, quarrel, rassle, riot, run a tilt, scramble, screw up, scuffle, secure, seizure, set, set to, shanghai, skirmish, snatch, spar, stick to, strive, struggle, struggle with, tackle, take, take on, tenure, throttle, thrust and parry, tight grip, tighten, tilt, toehold, tourney, trice up, trim, tussle, wage war, war, wrestle
Word:

Browse

Graphical statics
Graphically
Graphicness
Graphics
Graphiscope
Graphite
Graphite battery
Graphitic
Graphitic acid
Graphitic carbon
Graphitoid
graphoanalist
graphoanalysis
Grapholite
graphologist
graphology
Graphophone
Graphoscope
Graphotype
Grapnel
-Grapple-
Grapple plant
Grapple shot
Grapplement
Grappling
Grappling iron
Grappling tongs
Grapsoid
Graptolite
Graptolitic
Grapy
Grasp
Graspable
Grasper
Grasping
Graspless
Grass
Grass bass
Grass bird
Grass cloth
grass drake
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

© 2009 Interapple, Inc. Cover