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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

a. Capable of being grasped. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who grasps or seizes; one who catches or holds. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Seizing; embracing; catching. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Avaricious; greedy of gain; covetous; close; miserly; as, he is a grasping man. -- Grasp"ing*ly, adv. -- Grasp"ing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]