grasp Hear it!

grasp definition

grasp (grasp, gräsp)

transitive verb

  1. to take hold of firmly with or as with the hand or arms; grip
  2. to take hold of eagerly or greedily; seize
  3. to take hold of mentally; understand; comprehend

Etymology: 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

  1. to reach for and try to seize: with at
  2. to accept eagerly: with at

noun

  1. the act of grasping; grip or clasp of the hand or arms
  2. a firm hold; control; possession
  3. the power to hold or seize; reach
  4. power of understanding; comprehension

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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