Grapple definition
To struggle or try to cope (with)
To grapple with a problem.
verb
A coming to grips; hand-to-hand fight.
noun
To seize and hold with a grapple.
Grappled the prow of the ship.
verb
(uncountable) The act of grappling.
noun
Any of various grasping devices having hinged tines or jaws that close around an object or load, used especially in lifting or dragging heavy items.
noun
To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.
verb
Advertisement
Grapple is defined as to struggle with something or someone.
An example of grapple is when two kids get into a fight over a ball, with each struggling to get control.
An example of grapple is when you are struggling with making a difficult decision.
verb
The act of grappling.
noun
An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside.
noun
A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to wrestle with each other by clutching or gripping.
noun
A struggle for superiority or dominance.
noun
Advertisement
To wrestle with an opponent by clutching or gripping.
verb
To struggle or work hard to deal with something.
Grappled with their consciences; grapple with the political realities of our time.
verb
To hold onto something with a grapple.
verb
To use a grapple or similar device, as for dragging.
verb
A device consisting of two or more hinged, movable iron prongs for grasping and moving heavy objects.
noun
Advertisement
To grip and hold; seize.
verb
To struggle in hand-to-hand combat; wrestle.
verb
(figuratively) To ponder and intensely evaluate a problem; normally used with "with".
verb
(intransitive) To use a grapple.
verb
To seize firmly with the hands.
verb
Origin of grapple
- Middle English grapel from Old French grapil diminutive of grape hook grape
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English *grapplen (“to seize, lay hold of”), from Old English *græpplian (“to seize”) (compare Old English ġegræppian (“to seize”)), from Proto-Germanic *graipilōną, *grabbalōną (“to seize”), from Proto-Indo-European *ghreb(h)-, *ghrab(h)- (“to take, seize, rake”). Cognate with Dutch grabbelen (“to grope, scramble, scrabble”), German grabbeln (“to rummage, grope about”), German grapsen, grapschen (“to seize, grasp, grabble”). Influenced in some senses by grapple (“hook”, noun) (see below). More at grasp.
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English *grapple, *graple, from Old French grappil (“a ship's grapple”) (compare Old French grappin (“hook”)), from Old French grape, grappe, crape (“hook”), of Germanic origin, from Old Frankish *krappō (“hook”), from Proto-Germanic *krappô, *krappą (“hook”), from Proto-Indo-European *grep- (“hook”), *gremb- (“crooked, uneven”), from Proto-Indo-European *ger- (“to turn, bend, twist”). More at grape.
From Wiktionary