grappling

Variant of grapple

grapple definition

grap·ple (grap′əl)

noun

  1. grapnel
  2. a device consisting of two or more hinged, movable iron prongs for grasping and moving heavy objects
  3. a coming to grips; hand-to-hand fight

Etymology: OFr grapil: see grapnel

transitive verb grappled grap′·pled, grappling grap′·pling

to grip and hold; seize

intransitive verb

  1. to use a grapnel
  2. to struggle in hand-to-hand combat; wrestle
  3. to struggle or try to cope (with) to grapple with a problem

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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