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

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

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

From The Corsair King by Safford, Mary J.

The cable car must close its grappling iron and grip the cable before progress can be made.

From The Jericho Road by Adkins, W. Bion

The lower end of each line dragged the bottom by means of a small grappling iron, and at the surface it was secured to the buoy–rope of a cork float.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.

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

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