grasp Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
appreciation; hold.
- he has a good grasp of accounting practices
noun the limit of capability
range; reach; compass.
- within the compass of education
noun an intellectual hold or understanding
grip.
- a good grip on French history
- 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
noun the act of grasping
grip; clutches; clutch; clench; hold; clasp.
- he released his clasp on my arm
- he has a strong grip for an old man
- she kept a firm hold on the railing
verb hold firmly
hold on.
verb get the meaning of something
grok; apprehend; dig; comprehend; compass; savvy; get the picture.
- Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?

OE. graspen; prob. akin to LG. grupsen, or to E. grope. Cf. Grab, Grope.

imperfect & past participle Grasper ; present participle & verbal noun Qraspine

To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of.
Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff. Shak.
To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.

To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch; to struggle; to strive.
As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by strength subdued. Shak.

A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms. "The grasps of love." Shak.
Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
Forcible possession; hold.
The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp. Shak.
Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects and hold them under survey.
The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not, in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors. Z. Taylor.
The handle of a sword or of an oar.