Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Grapple
Grap′ple
,Verb.
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. Shakespeare
Grap′ple
,Verb.
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
To
grapple
with the house of Lancaster. Shakespeare
Grap′ple
,Noun.
[See Grapple, , and cf. Crapple.]
Verb.
T.
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
.