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grasp
Grasp is defined as to have a firm hold on something.
(verb)- An example of grasp is to tightly hold a rail.
- An example of grasp is to fully understand a scientific concept.
The definition of grasp is a firm hold on something.
(noun)An example of grasp is a strong hold onto a banister.
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See grasp in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb
- to take hold of firmly with or as with the hand or arms; grip
- to take hold of eagerly or greedily; seize
- to take hold of mentally; understand; comprehend
Origin: ME graspen, by metathesis < *grapsen, prob. < MLowG (as in LowG, Fris grapsen), akin to Norw dial. grapsa, to scratch, ON grapa, to snatch: see grab
intransitive verb
- to reach for and try to seize: with at
- to accept eagerly: with at
noun
- the act of grasping; grip or clasp of the hand or arms
- a firm hold; control; possession
- the power to hold or seize; reach
- power of understanding; comprehension
See grasp in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb grasped, grasp·ing, grasps verb, transitive
- To take hold of or seize firmly with or as if with the hand.
- To clasp firmly with or as if with the hand.
- To take hold of intellectually; comprehend. See Synonyms at apprehend.
- To make a motion of seizing, snatching, or clutching.
- To show eager and prompt willingness or acceptance: grasps at any opportunity.
- The act of grasping.
- a. A firm hold or grip.b. An embrace.
- The ability or power to seize or attain; reach: Victory in the election was within her grasp.
- Understanding; comprehension: “only a vague intuitive grasp of the meaning of greatness in literature” (Gilbert Highet).
Origin:
Origin: Middle English graspen; see ghrebh-1 in Indo-European roots
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