grapple Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope
grappling hook; grapnel; grappling iron; grappler.
noun a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam
clamshell.
noun the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
grappling; wrestle; wrestling; hand-to-hand struggle.
- they had a fierce wrestle
- we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully
verb come to terms with
contend; deal; cope; manage; get by; make out; make do.
- We got by on just a gallon of gas
- They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
verb to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match
grip.
- the two men grappled with each other for several minutes

F. grappiller, OF. graypil the grapple of a ship, fr. graper to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German origin. See Grape.

imperfect & past participle Grappled ; present participle & verbal noun Grappling

To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.
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.

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.
And in my standard bear the arms of York, To grapple with the house of Lancaster. Shak.

See Grapple, v. t., and cf. Crapple.

A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold. Milton.
(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.