/ grɑːsp; NAmE græsp/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to take a firm hold of sb/sth
SYN grip :
He grasped my hand and shook it warmly.
Kay grasped him by the wrist.
➡ note at hold
2.
to understand sth completely :
[ vn ]
They failed to grasp the importance of his words.
[ v wh- ]
She was unable to grasp how to do it.
[ v that ]
It took him some time to grasp that he was now a public figure.
➡ note at understand
3.
[ vn ] grasp a chance / an opportunity to take an opportunity without hesitating and use it :
I grasped the opportunity to work abroad.
•
IDIOMS
- grasp the nettle
—more at straw
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- grasp at sth
■ noun [ usually sing. ]
1.
a firm hold of sb/sth or control over sb/sth
SYN grip :
I grabbed him, but he slipped from my grasp.
She felt a firm grasp on her arm.
Don't let the situation escape from your grasp.
2.
a person's understanding of a subject or of difficult facts :
He has a good grasp of German grammar.
These complex formulae are beyond the grasp of the average pupil.
3.
the ability to get or achieve sth :
Success was within her grasp .
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : perhaps related to grope .