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| grap·ple [ grápp'l ] |
verb (past and past participle grap·pled, present participle grap·pling, 3rd person present singular grap·ples) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb struggle with somebody: to struggle with somebody in a close hand-to-hand fight
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2. intransitive verb struggle to deal with something: to struggle to deal with or comprehend something
  The government continues to grapple with the economic crisis.
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3. transitive verb grab somebody: to grab hold of somebody
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4. transitive verb hold something with hooked device: to hook or hold something with a grapnel or other hooked device
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noun (plural grap·ples) |
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| Definition: |
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1.
Same as grapnel (sense 1)
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2. struggle: a close struggle
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3. wrestling grip or hold: in wrestling, a grip or hold on an opponent
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| [14th century. < Old French grapil "small hook" < grape "hook" (see grape)] |
