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

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

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

Yet we decided, chiefly by my entreaty, to try the grappling iron, and it was ultimately arranged that each man should be allowed three attempts, after the hooks had been lowered down.

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

A grappling iron was fastened for an anchor on to the end of the rope, a fresh chain of men was formed, and it was cast into the impenetrably shrouded abyss.

From The Vulture Maiden [Die Geier-Wally.] by Hillern, Wilhelmine von

Related Words

• mainstay