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

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

Skyrme stood in the bow, holding his grappling iron ready.

From The Corsair King by Safford, Mary J.

Little had I imagined how difficult it would be to move the grappling iron, so heavy was the great length of rope.

From The Treasure of the Tigris A Tale of Mesopotamia by Ferryman, A. F. Mockler

Darwin began to put down a grappling iron on the outer side of the reef and to drag up coral.

From The Meaning of Evolution by Schmucker, Samuel Christian

A grappling iron swung from beneath almost struck him in the face.

From The Gentleman A Romance of the Sea by Ollivant, Alfred

Related Words

• mainstay