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.
Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff.
Shak.
2.
To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.
© Webster 1913.
Grasp, v. i.
To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch; to struggle; to strive.
As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by strength subdued.
Shak.
To grasp at, to catch at; to try to seize; as, Alexander grasped at universal empire,
© Webster 1913.
Grasp, n.
1.
A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms.
"The grasps of love."
Shak.
2.
Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
3.
Forcible possession; hold.
The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.
Shak.
4.
Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects and hold them under survey.
The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not, in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors.
Z. Taylor.
5.
The handle of a sword or of an oar.
© Webster 1913.