Grasp
[grɑːsp] or [ɡræsp]
Definition
(v. t.) To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of.
(v. t.) To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.
(v. i.) To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch; to struggle; to strive.
(n.) A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms.
(n.) Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
(n.) Forcible possession; hold.
(n.) Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects and hold them under survey.
(n.) The handle of a sword or of an oar.
Inputed by Lewis
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Clasp, gripe, seize, clinch, clutch, catch, grapple, lay hold of.
n. [1]. Clasp, gripe.[2]. Hold, possession.[3]. Reach, power of seizing or of comprehending.
Editor: Simon
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Seize, hold, clasp, retain, comprehend, catch, grip, clutch, grapple
ANT:Loose, lose, abandon, relinquish, surrender, release, miss, misunderstand
Edited by Lizzie
Definition
v.t. to seize and hold by clasping with the fingers or arms: to catch at: to comprehend.—v.i. to endeavour to seize: to catch (with at).—n. gripe of the hand: reach of the arms: power of seizing: mental power of apprehension.—adj. Grasp′able.—n. Grasp′er.—p.adj. Grasp′ing seizing: avaricious: encroaching.—adv. Grasp′ingly.—n. Grasp′ingness.—adj. Grasp′less feeble relaxed.
Checked by Brady
Examples
- In the grasp of his hand her chin was unutterably soft and silken. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Apprehension means dread of undesirable consequences, as well as intellectual grasp. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The others crowded around him, and even two who had hold of Gurth relaxed their grasp while they stretched their necks to see the issue of the search. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Like himself they had failed to grasp the necessity of entrusting the work of settlement to more specially qualified men. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I presume, as I see blood-stains upon it, that it is the one which was found in the dead man's grasp. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- The sick man drew a hand of his old fellow-prisoner towards him, and pressing it affectionately between both his own, retained it in his grasp. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Mr. Rochester, I no more assign this fate to you than I grasp at it for myself. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- At last he grasped the manuscript upon which Jane Porter had been writing, and as cautiously withdrew his arm and hand, holding the precious treasure. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Then she found his hand, and grasped it in her own firm, small clasp. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I grasped it firmly, rose softly from the bed, and leaned over my sleeping wife. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He grasped the end and was soon sitting beside us. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Instead he grasped his friend's arm and hastened him forward in the direction of the cabin. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- As implied in a previous chapter, number relations are not clearly grasped by primitive races. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- I grasped Holmes's arm. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Juries,' said Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane tightly, as was his wont when working into a passion: 'juries is ineddicated, vulgar, grovelling wretches. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Sam,' said Mr. Pickwick, grasping his hand, 'you're a capital fellow; an invaluable fellow. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Allow me, Sir, the honour of grasping your hand. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Thank you, sir, said Maurice, grasping the Rector's hand; I will do what you say. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Not a bit of it, sir, replied Dick, heartily grasping the young Englishman's extended hand. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- I saw your brave lance, Bois-Guilbert, roll thrice over, grasping his hands full of sand at every turn. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- How I had a grasping, avaricious wish to shut out everybody from her but myself, and to be all in all to her, at that unseasonable time of all times. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Scraping up a quantity of sand into a little heap, he grasps it with three of the legs on one side and hurries away with it to some little distance. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- His brother starts up, calls him by his name, and grasps him by both hands. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He thus grasps and cries, and gazes, because he no longer fears to waken by any sound he can utter--by any movement he can make. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Tom Tootle, who is nearest to the doctor when he says this, grasps the doctor fervently by the hand. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
Inputed by Alphonso