grapnel

[ grap-nl ]

See synonyms for grapnel on Thesaurus.com

noun

a device consisting essentially of one or more hooks or clamps, for grasping or holding something; grapple; grappling iron.
a small anchor with three or more flukes, used for grappling or dragging or for anchoring a small boat, as a skiff.

Origin of grapnel

1325–75; Middle English grapnel(l), diminutive of Old French grapin, diminutive of grape hook, grape

Also called grapeline, grap·lin, grap·line [grap-lin]. /ˈgræp lɪn/.

Words Nearby grapnel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use grapnel in a sentence

(←) n general term for fish net, grapnel dragged along the bottom.
A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan | John U. Wolff
They slept fairly and, at daybreak, got up the grapnel and hoisted the sail again.
Under Wellington's Command | G. A. Henty
Or, by the accidental use of a grapnel, they would chance to fish up some bottles of valuable "bay-oil" from the bottom.
Belford's Magazine, Vol. II, No. 3, February 1889 | Various
I found landing impracticable and therefore came to a grapnel, in hopes of their coming to us, for we had passed several fires.
A Voyage to the South Sea | William Bligh
Our grapnel was foul but Providence here assisted us; the fluke broke and we got to our oars and pulled to sea.
A Voyage to the South Sea | William Bligh

British Dictionary definitions for grapnel

grapnel

/ (ˈɡræpnəl) /

noun

a device with a multiple hook at one end and attached to a rope, which is thrown or hooked over a firm mooring to secure an object attached to the other end of the rope
a light anchor for small boats

Origin of grapnel

C14: from Old French grapin a little hook, from grape a hook; see grape

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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