grappling iron

American  

noun

1. a grapnel.

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grappling iron British  

noun

1. a grapnel, esp one used for securing ships

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Etymology

Origin of grappling iron

First recorded in 1530–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grappling iron

At our friend's request, his companion sprang into a boat, and let down the grappling iron, and, strange to say, brought up Mr. Thomas Hogg, of Ulceby, Lincolnshire.

From The Hero of the Humber or the History of the Late Mr. John Ellerthorpe by Woodcock, Henry

Then he took his naked sword in one hand and his grappling iron in the other, and repairing to the Khalif's pavilion, cast his grapnel on to the roof.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume III by Payne, John

The trap will seldom be drawn more than twenty yards from the spot, and with a grappling iron is soon recovered.

From Practical Taxidermy A manual of instruction to the amateur in collecting, preserving, and setting up natural history specimens of all kinds. To which is added a chapter upon the pictorial arrangement of museums. With additional instructions in modelling and artistic taxidermy. by Browne, Montagu

Throwing a grappling iron upon this ship, Cymon drew it close to his own.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 01 — Fiction by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

"Weel, lad, what luck?" enquired Spink, as Swankie and he met—the former with a grappling iron on his shoulder, the latter staggering under the weight of a mass of metal.

From The Lighthouse by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Related Words

• mainstay