Grapple — Defs

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

imp. & p. p. Grappled; p. pr. & vb. n. Grappling

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.” — Shak.

02 v. 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.

1.
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.

Phrases & compounds

To grapple with — to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously.

03 n. A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold.

1.
A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold.
2.
An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab.(Naut.)
“The iron hooks and grapples keen.” — Spenser.

Phrases & compounds

Grapple plant — 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 — 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.