grasp

[grasp, grahsp]

verb (used with object)

1. to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms.

   Synonyms: grab, clutch, clutch, grip
   Antonyms: release

2. to seize upon; hold firmly.

3. to get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand.

   I don't grasp your meaning.

verb (used without object)

1. to make an attempt to seize, or a motion of seizing, something (usually followed by at orfor ).

   a drowning man grasping at straws; to grasp for an enemy's rifle.

noun

1. the act of grasping or gripping, as with the hands or arms.

   to make a grasp at something.

2. a hold or grip.

   to have a firm grasp of a rope.

3. one's arms or hands, in embracing or gripping.

   He took her in his grasp.

4. one's power of seizing and holding; reach.

   to have a thing within one's grasp.

5. hold, possession, or mastery.

   to wrest power from the grasp of a usurper.

   Synonyms: clutches

6. mental hold or capacity; power to understand.

   Synonyms: comprehension, apprehension, understanding

7. broad or thorough comprehension.

   a good grasp of computer programming.

grasp

/ ɡrɑːsp /

verb

1. to grip (something) firmly with or as if with the hands

2. to struggle, snatch, or grope (for)

3. (tr) to understand, esp with effort

noun

1. the act of grasping

2. a grip or clasp, as of a hand

3. the capacity to accomplish (esp in the phrase within one's grasp )

4. total rule or possession

5. understanding; comprehension

Other Word Forms

• grasper noun
• graspable adjective
• graspless adjective
• regrasp verb (used with object)
• ungraspable adjective
• ungrasped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grasp¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English graspen, grapsen; cognate with Low German grapsen; akin to Old English gegræppian “to seize” ( grapple )

Word History and Origins

Origin of grasp¹

C14: from Low German grapsen; related to Old English græppian to seize, Old Norse grāpa to steal

Idioms and Phrases

• get a fix on (grasp of)

Synonym Study

See catch. Grasp, reach refer to the power of seizing, either concretely or figuratively. Grasp suggests actually seizing and closing the hand upon something (or, figuratively, thoroughly comprehending something) and therefore refers to what is within one's possession or immediate possibility of possession: a good grasp of a problem; immense mental grasp. Reach suggests a stretching out of (usually) the hand to touch, strike, or, if possible, seize something; it therefore refers to a potentiality of possession that requires an effort. Figuratively, it implies perhaps a faint conception of something still too far beyond one to be definitely and clearly understood.

Example Sentences

On Tuesday, Williamson rejected Sir Jon's accusation that the lack of planning represented a "dereliction of duty", but conceded that "the depth of the challenge we were facing hadn't been properly grasped".

Read more on BBC

He had earlier suggested "everlasting peace" had been grasped under his tutelage, in a region long convulsed by violence.

Read more on BBC

Top spot in Group A is now a long shot given Germany have put their grasp on automatic qualification.

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Wales' players were crestfallen at the final whistle, glazed looks in their eyes as it dawned on them that a huge opportunity had slipped through their grasp.

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“The first time it happened, we were really young,” Key said, gingerly grasping a spoon with his heavily tattooed hand while stirring a cup of hot tea.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept 
• appreciate 
• comprehend 
• fathom 
• perceive 
• pick up 
• realize