grapple

1. v. t. To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist. Source: opted

2. v. t. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly. Source: opted

3. v. i. To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another. Source: opted

4. v. t. A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold. Source: opted

5. v. t. An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab. Source: opted

6. v. t. A grappling iron. Source: opted

7. n. a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope Source: wordnet

8. n. a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam Source: wordnet

9. n. the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat Source: wordnet

10. v. succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available Source: wordnet

11. v. to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match Source: wordnet

12. 1. To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist. 2. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly. The gallies were grappled to the Centurion. Hakluyt. Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel. Shak. To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another. To grapple with, to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously. And in my standard bear the arms of York, To grapple with the house of Lancaster. Shak. 1. A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold. Milton. 2. (a) An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab. (b) (Naut.) A grappling iron. The iron hooks and grapples keen. Spenser. Grapple plant (Bot.), a South African herb (Herpagophytum leptocarpum) having the woody fruits armed with long hooked or barbed thorns by which they adhere to cattle, causing intense annoyance. -- Grapple shot (Life-saving Service), a projectile, to which are attached hinged claws to catch in a ship's rigging or to hold in the ground; -- called also anchor shot. Source: webster

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