grasp

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: appreciationholdcompassrangereachgripclaspclenchclutchclutcheshold ongrok

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something“he has a good grasp of accounting practices”Synonyms: appreciationhold
  2. the limit of capability“within the compass of education”Synonyms: compassrangereach
  3. an intellectual hold or understanding“a good grip on French history”“they kept a firm grip on the two top priorities”“he was in the grip of a powerful emotion”“a terrible power had her in its grasp”Synonyms: grip
  4. the act of grasping“he released his clasp on my arm”“he has a strong grip for an old man”“she kept a firm hold on the railing”Synonyms: claspclenchclutchclutchesgriphold

Verb (2)

  1. hold firmlySynonyms: hold on
  2. get the meaning of something“Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?”Synonyms: grokget the picturecomprehendsavvydigcompassapprehend
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Grasp \Grasp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grasper; p. pr. & vb. n. Qraspine.] [OE. graspen; prob. akin to LG. grupsen, or to E. grope. Cf. Grab, Grope.]

1.To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of. [1913 Webster]

Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend. [1913 Webster]

Grasp \Grasp\, v. i. To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch; to struggle; to strive. [1913 Webster]

As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by strength subdued. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

To grasp at, to catch at; to try to seize; as, Alexander grasped at universal empire, [1913 Webster]

Grasp \Grasp\, n.

1.A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms. "The grasps of love." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and holding; as, it was beyond his grasp. [1913 Webster]

3.Forcible possession; hold. [1913 Webster]

The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects and hold them under survey. [1913 Webster]

The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not, in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors.— Z. Taylor.[1913 Webster]

5.The handle of a sword or of an oar. [1913 Webster]

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