Grapple

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɡɹæp.É™l/
• Rhymes: -æpÉ™l

Alternative forms

• graple obsolete

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.

Full definition of grapple

Verb

1. (transitive) To seize something and hold it firmly.
2. (transitive, figuratively) to ponder and intensely evaluate a problem; normally used with "with".
• to grapple with one's conscience
3. (intransitive) To use a grapple.
4. (intransitive) To wrestle or tussle.
5. (transitive) To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.
• HakluytThe gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
• ShakespeareGrapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.

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 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.

Noun

1. (nautical) A device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grapnel or grappling iron.
2. (uncountable) The act of grappling.
3. A close hand-to-hand struggle.