grasp

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To take and hold something firmly, especially with your hand.

   She grasped the rope and pulled herself up.

2. 2
   verb

   To understand something, especially something difficult.

   I have never been able to grasp the concept of infinity.

3. 3
   noun

   An understanding of something.

   She has a good grasp of basic accounting.

4. 4
   noun

   A firm hold or grip.

   A gust of wind snatched the note from my grasp.

5. 5
   noun

   Something within your reach or ability to achieve.

   Victory was finally within their grasp.

From Middle English graspen, grapsen, craspen (“to grope; feel around”), from Old English *grǣpsian, from Proto-West Germanic *graipisōn, from Proto-Germanic *graipisōną, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to take, seize, rake”), the same ultimate source as grab. Cognate with Saterland Frisian grapsje (“to grab, grasp”), German Low German grapsen (“to grab; grasp”), German grapsen and grapschen, Old English grāpian ("to touch, feel, grasp"; > Modern English grope). Compare also Swedish krafsa (“to scatch; scabble”), Norwegian krafse (“to scramble”).

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