grapnel
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
1- 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. WolffThey slept fairly and, at daybreak, got up the grapnel and hoisted the sail again.
Under Wellington's Command | G. A. HentyOr, by the accidental use of a grapnel, they would chance to fish up some bottles of valuable "bay-oil" from the bottom.
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 BlighOur 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
/ (ˈɡræpnəl) /
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
1Collins 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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