grapnel Hear it!

grapnel definition

grap·nel (grap′nəl)

noun

a small anchor with usually four or five curved, pointed arms, used for anchoring a small boat, dragging the bottom for objects, or grasping and holding fast to something

Etymology: ME grapnell, dim. < OFr grapin, grapil < Prov < grapa, a hook < Frank *krappo: see grape

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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