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grapnel

[grap-nl]

Origin

noun

a device consisting essentially of one or more hooks or clamps, for grasping or holding something; grapple; grappling iron.

a small anchor with three or more flukes, used for grappling or dragging or for anchoring a small boat, as a skiff.

Also called grapeline, grap·lin, grap·line

[grap-lin] .

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English grapnel(l), diminutive of Old French grapin, diminutive of grape hook, grape

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Grapnel is always a great word to know.

So is doohickey. Does it mean:

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

grapnel (ˈɡræpn^əl)

—n
1.	a device with a multiple hook at one end and attached to a rope, which is thrown or hooked over a firm mooring to secure an object attached to the other end of the rope
2.	a light anchor for small boats

[C14: from Old French grapin a little hook, from grape a hook; see grape]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

grapnel

1373, Anglo-Fr. dim. of O.Fr. grapil "hook," from grape "hook" (see grape).

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Related Words

grapple creep drag

grapeline grappling grappling iron

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grapnel

grap·nel