grasp
hold firmly
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,662 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 6,269 times across 155,370 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- hold firmly also: hold on
- get the meaning of something also: grok, get the picture, comprehend, savvy, dig, compass Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
noun
- understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something also: appreciation, hold he has a good grasp of accounting practices
- the limit of capability also: compass, range, reach within the compass of education
- an intellectual hold or understanding also: grip a good grip on French historythey kept a firm grip on the two top priorities
- the act of grasping also: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grip, hold he released his clasp on my armhe has a strong grip for an old man
grasp in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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I was struggling to grasp the incredible.
The Little Nugget · P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse · Chapter 1
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Down dropped the gun from the sportsman's grasp.
Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 · Robert Seymour · Chapter 1
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John ascended the steps, to feel the grasp of a strong hand, to hear a ringing voice.
The Hill: A Romance of Friendship · Horace Annesley Vachell · Chapter 1
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Bunce was a self-made man, with an excellent grasp of literature, which served him well in his various literary ventures.
Representative Plays by American Dramatists — Love in '76 · Oliver Bell Bunce · Chapter 1
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Even through his graver fear Bobby felt a sharp discomfort as he surrendered his hand to the other's absorbing grasp.
The Abandoned Room · Wadsworth Camp · Chapter 1