Link Centre Dictionary

grasp

UK/ɡɹɑːsp/ US/ɡɹæsp/ fairly common
verb (2) noun (4)

verb

1.

hold firmly

Synonyms
2.

get the meaning of something

  • “Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?”
Synonyms

noun

1.

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

  • “he has a good grasp of accounting practices”
Synonyms
2.

the limit of capability

  • “within the compass of education”
Synonyms
3.

a firm controlling influence

  • “they kept a firm grip on the two top priorities”
  • “he was in the grip of a powerful emotion”
  • “a terrible power had her in its grasp”
Synonyms
4.

the act of grasping

  • “he released his clasp on my arm”
  • “he has a strong grip for an old man”
  • “she kept a firm hold on the railing”
Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English graspen, grapsen, craspen (“to grope; feel around”), from Old English *grǣpsian, from Proto-West Germanic *graipisōn, from Proto-Germanic *graipisōną, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to take, seize, rake”), the same ultimate source as grab. Cognate with Saterland Frisian grapsje (“to grab, grasp”), German Low German grapsen (“to grab; grasp”), German grapsen and grapschen, Old English grāpian ("to touch, feel, grasp"; > Modern English grope). Compare also Swedish krafsa (“to scatch; scabble”), Norwegian krafse (“to scramble”).

Phrases

  • a drowning man will grasp at a straw
  • a drowning man will grasp at straws
  • beyond someone's grasp
  • grasp at a straw
  • grasp at straws
  • grasp for straws
  • grasp the nettle
  • light grasp
  • tripod grasp

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

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.