Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Grapple"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Grapple \Grap"ple\, 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.
{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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Grapple \Grap"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grappled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Grappling}.] [F. grappiller, OF. graypil the grapple of a
ship, fr. graper to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German
origin. See {Grape}.]
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Grapple \Grap"ple\, n. [See Grapple, v. t., and cf. Crapple.]
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}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
grapple
n 1: a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding;
often thrown with a rope [syn: {grapnel}, {grappler}, {grappling
hook}, {grappling iron}]
2: a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam [syn:
{clamshell}]
3: the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat; "they had
a fierce wrestle"; "we watched his grappling and wrestling
with the bully" [syn: {wrestle}, {wrestling}, {grappling},
{hand-to-hand struggle}]
v 1: come to terms or deal successfully with; "We got by on just
a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread
every day" [syn: {cope}, {get by}, {make out}, {make do},
{contend}, {deal}, {manage}]
2: to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match; "the two men
grappled with each other for several minutes" [syn: {grip}]
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