Dictionary definitions
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grasp
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Grasp \Grasp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Grasper; p. pr. & vb. n. Qraspine.] [OE. graspen; prob. akin to LG. grupsen, or to E. grope. Cf. Grab, Grope.] 1. To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of. [1913 Webster] Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend. [1913 Webster] .
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Grasp \Grasp\, v. i.
To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch;
to struggle; to strive.
[1913 Webster]
As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by
strength subdued. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
To grasp at, to catch at; to try to seize; as, Alexander
grasped at universal empire,
[1913 Webster]
.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Grasp \Grasp\, n.
1. A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or
infolding in the arms. "The grasps of love." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and
holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
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3. Forcible possession; hold.
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The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.
--Shak.
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4. Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects
and hold them under survey.
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The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not,
in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors. --Z.
Taylor.
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5. The handle of a sword or of an oar.
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