3 entries under this word

Grapple

Grāp'ple, v. t.

verbtransitive

(grāp'pl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. GRAPPLED; p. pr. & vb. n. GRAPPLING.] [Diminutive of grap, for grab; Prov. Fr. grapper, agrapper, It. grappare, aggrappare, to grapple, grasp. Cf. GRAB, GRAB-BLE.] To seize; to lay fast hold on, either with the hands or with hooks; to fix and hold fast in confidence and affection.

Grapple him to thy soul with hooks of steel. Shak.

Grāp'ple, v. i.

verbintransitive

To seize; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; hence, to grapple with, to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously.

The arms of York To grapple with the house of Lancaster. Shak.

Grāp'ple, n.

noun

n. [See supra, and cf. CRAPLE.]

A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold. Milton.
(Naut.) A hook or iron instrument by which one ship may fasten on another. “The iron hooks and grapples keen.” Spenser.