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