Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.
\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.
\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}.