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grasp

 - 4 dictionary results

grasp

  [grasp, grahsp]
Use grasp in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms.
2. to seize upon; hold firmly.
3. to get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand: I don't grasp your meaning.
–verb (used without object)
4. to make an attempt to seize, or a motion of seizing, something (usually fol. by at or for): a drowning man grasping at straws; to grasp for an enemy's rifle.
–noun
5. the act of grasping or gripping, as with the hands or arms: to make a grasp at something.
6. a hold or grip: to have a firm grasp of a rope.
7. one's arms or hands, in embracing or gripping: He took her in his grasp.
8. one's power of seizing and holding; reach: to have a thing within one's grasp.
9. hold, possession, or mastery: to wrest power from the grasp of a usurper.
10. mental hold or capacity; power to understand.
11. broad or thorough comprehension: a good grasp of computer programming.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME graspen, grapsen; c. LG grapsen; akin to OE gegræppian to seize (see grapple )

Related forms:
grasp⋅a⋅ble, adjective
grasper, noun
graspless, adjective

Synonyms:
1. grip, clutch; grab. See catch. 9. clutches. 10. scope, comprehension. Grasp, reach refer to the power of seizing, either concretely or figuratively. Grasp suggests actually seizing and closing the hand upon something (or, figuratively, thoroughly comprehending something) and therefore refers to what is within one's possession or immediate possibility of possession: a good grasp of a problem; immense mental grasp. Reach suggests a stretching out of (usually) the hand to touch, strike, or, if possible, seize something; it therefore refers to a potentiality of possession that requires an effort. Figuratively, it implies perhaps a faint conception of something still too far beyond one to be definitely and clearly understood.

Antonyms:
1. release.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To grasp
grasp   (grāsp)   
v.   grasped, grasp·ing, grasps

v.   tr.

  1. To take hold of or seize firmly with or as if with the hand.

  2. To clasp firmly with or as if with the hand.

  3. To take hold of intellectually; comprehend. See Synonyms at apprehend.

v.   intr.

  1. To make a motion of seizing, snatching, or clutching.

  2. To show eager and prompt willingness or acceptance: grasps at any opportunity.

n.  

  1. The act of grasping.

    1. A firm hold or grip.

    2. An embrace.

  3. The ability or power to seize or attain; reach: Victory in the election was within her grasp.

  4. Understanding; comprehension: "only a vague intuitive grasp of the meaning of greatness in literature" (Gilbert Highet).


[Middle English graspen; see ghrebh-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

grasp 
1382, possibly metathesis of O.E. *græpsan "to touch, feel," from P.Gmc. *graipison (cf. E.Fris. grapsen "to grasp"), from root *graip (see grope). Originally "to reach for, feel around;" sense of "seize" first recorded mid-16c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

grasp

In addition to the idiom beginning with grasp, also see get a fix on (grasp of).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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