grapnel

[ grap-nl ]

/ ˈgræp nl /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

graphology, graphomotor, graphophone, graphorrhea, graphotype, grapnel, grappa, grappelli, grappier cement, grapple, grapple ground

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/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for grapnel

With fifty feet of that rope I will make a ladder, and will get hold of a piece of iron to make a grapnel of.
The Tiger of Mysore|G. A. Henty
A single block was fastened to a grapnel, and a long rope attached for getting up the ladder to the top of the first wall.
In Greek Waters|G. A. Henty
You, Harry Briggs, shy the grapnel on deck and make fast; we shall soon be all aboard.
The Ocean Cat's Paw|George Manville Fenn
It was merely a question of whether or not Billy was strong enough to throw the grapnel so far.
The Boy Scouts Book of Stories|Various

About eleven oclock at night the grapnel came to the surface with the cable caught on two of the prongs.
The Story of The Atlantic Cable|Charles Bright

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

Word Origin for 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