Grasp — Defs

01 v. t. To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of.

imp. & p. p. Grasper; p. pr. & vb. n. Qraspine

1.
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.
2.
To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.

02 v. i. To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch; to struggle; to strive.

1.
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.

Phrases & compounds

To grasp at — to catch at; to try to seize; as, Alexander grasped at universal empire,

03 n. A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms.

1.
A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms.
2.
Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
3.
Forcible possession; hold.
“The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.” — Shak.
4.
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.
5.
The handle of a sword or of an oar.