Definition

1. Noun:

   • A tool or device for gripping or holding: A "grapple" is a tool, often with hooks or claws, designed to grasp and hold objects firmly. It can be thrown, like a grappling hook, or attached to machinery.
   • The act of gripping or wrestling: "Grapple" can refer to the physical act of seizing and struggling with an opponent in close combat.

2. Verb:

   • To grip or seize firmly, especially in a struggle: The primary meaning is to take hold of something or someone with a firm grip, often in the context of wrestling or fighting.
   • To struggle to deal with or understand something difficult: "Grapple" also means to engage in a mental or figurative struggle with a complex problem, challenge, or idea.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The ship used a grapple to retrieve the lost anchor from the sea floor.
  • The final grapple between the two fighters decided the match.

• Verb:

  • The police officer managed to grapple the suspect to the ground.
  • Scientists continue to grapple with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

Advanced Usage

• "to come to grapple with": to finally begin to seriously confront or deal with a difficult issue.

  • After years of denial, the community had to come to grapple with its history.

• "grappling hook": a specific type of grapple, a device with multiple hooks attached to a rope, used for climbing or securing.

  • The commandos threw a grappling hook over the wall.

Variants and Related Words

• Grappling (n): The act or sport of wrestling or struggling.

  • He is an expert in the art of grappling.

• Grappler (n): A person who grapples, especially a wrestler.

  • The grappler won the match with a swift move.

Synonyms

• Verb (to grip): Seize, grip, clutch, grasp.
• Verb (to struggle): Wrestle, contend, struggle, tackle.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Grapple with: To try hard to deal with or understand a difficult problem or idea.
  • The committee is grappling with the budget deficit.

Related Idioms

• To grapple with one's conscience: To struggle with a difficult moral decision.
  • He grappled with his conscience before deciding to tell the truth.

Noun

1. the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
   • they had a fierce wrestle
   • we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully
2. a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam
3. a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope

Verb

1. to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match
   • the two men grappled with each other for several minutes
2. come to terms with
   • We got by on just a gallon of gas
   • They made do on half a loaf of bread every day