reaching

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.To extend; to stretch; to thrust out; to put forth, as a limb, a member, something held, or the like. [1913 Webster]

Her tresses yellow, and long straughten, Unto her heeles down they raughten.— Rom. of R.[1913 Webster]

Reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side.— John xx. 27.[1913 Webster]

Fruit trees, over woody, reached too far Their pampered boughs.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.Hence, to deliver by stretching out a member, especially the hand; to give with the hand; to pass to another; to hand over; as, to reach one a book. [1913 Webster]

He reached me a full cup.— 2 Esd. xiv. 39.[1913 Webster]

3.To attain or obtain by stretching forth the hand; to extend some part of the body, or something held by one, so as to touch, strike, grasp, or the like; as, to reach an object with the hand, or with a spear. [1913 Webster]

O patron power, . . . thy present aid afford, Than I may reach the beast.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.To strike, hit, or touch with a missile; as, to reach an object with an arrow, a bullet, or a shell. [1913 Webster]

5.Hence, to extend an action, effort, or influence to; to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut, as far as. [1913 Webster]

If these examples of grown men reach not the case of children, let them examine.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

6.To extend to; to stretch out as far as; to touch by virtue of extent; as, his land reaches the river. [1913 Webster]

Thy desire . . . leads to no excess That reaches blame.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

7.To arrive at; to come to; to get as far as. [1913 Webster]

Before this letter reaches your hands.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

8.To arrive at by effort of any kind; to attain to; to gain; to be advanced to. [1913 Webster]

The best account of the appearances of nature which human penetration can reach, comes short of its reality.— Cheyne.[1913 Webster]

9.To understand; to comprehend. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Do what, sir? I reach you not.— Beau. & Fl.[1913 Webster]

10.To overreach; to deceive. [Obs.] --South. [1913 Webster]