Link Centre Dictionary

grapple

US/ˈɡɹæpəl/ rare
verb (2) noun (3)

verb

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”
Synonyms
2.

to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match

  • “the two men grappled with each other for several minutes”
Synonyms

noun

1.

a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope

Synonyms
2.

a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam

Synonyms
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”
Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English *grapplen (“to seize, lay hold of”), from Old English *græpplian (“to seize”) (compare Old English ġegræppian (“to seize”)), from Proto-Germanic *graipilōną, *grabbalōną (“to seize”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to take, seize, rake”), equivalent to grab + -le. Cognate with Dutch grabbelen (“to grope, scramble, scrabble”), German grabbeln (“to rummage, grope about”) and grapsen, grapschen (“to seize, grasp, grabble”). Influenced in some senses by grapple (“tool with claws or hooks”, noun) (see below). See further at grasp.

Phrases

  • grapple plant
  • grapple with
  • grappling tongs

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.