grip

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an intellectual hold or understanding

   a good grip on French history

2. 2
   verb

   hold fast or firmly

   I gripped the steering wheel with all my strength.

3. 3
   verb

   To take hold (of), particularly with the hand.

   That suitcase is heavy, so grip the handle firmly.

4. 4
   verb

   To figuratively take hold of or grasp.

   We need to grip this problem, not shut our eyes and hope it goes away.

5. 5
   verb

   Of an emotion or situation: to have a strong effect upon.

   As the water level began to rise, I was gripped by panic.

6. 6
   verb

   To firmly hold the attention of.

   The movie gripped me from beginning to end.

7. 7
   noun

   A hold or way of holding, particularly with the hand.

   It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.

8. 8
   noun

   Ability to resist slippage when pressed in contact with another object or surface.

   These tyres are worn out and don't have much grip.

Etymology

Verb from Middle English grippen, from Old English grippan, from a Proto-Germanic *gripjaną (compare Old High German gripfen); compare the related Old English grīpan, whence English gripe. See also grope, and the related Proto-Germanic *grīpaną. Noun from Middle English grippe, gripe, an amalgam of Old English gripe (“grasp, hold”) (cognate with German Griff) and Old English gripa (“handful”) (cognate with Swedish grepp).