grasp

Verb

1. To grip; to take hold, particularly with the hand.
2. To understand.
3. To take advantage of something, to seize, to jump at a chance.

Noun

1. (figuratively, sometimes) Grip.
2. Understanding.
3. That which is accessible; that which is within one's reach or ability.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɡɹɑːsp/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: graspen

Inherited from Old English: *grǣpsian

Cognate with German: grapsen

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Grapse

Cognate with Old English: grāpian

Cognate with English: grope

Cognate with Swedish: krafsa

Cognate with Norwegian: krafse

In summary

From Middle English graspen, grapsen, craspen (“to grope; feel around”), from Old English *grǣpsian, from Proto-West Germanic *graipisōn, from Proto-Germanic *graipisōną, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to take, seize, rake”), the same ultimate source as grab.
Cognate with German Low German grapsen (“to grab; grasp”), German grapsen and grapschen, Saterland Frisian Grapse (“double handful”), Old English grāpian ("to touch, feel, grasp"; > Modern English grope). Compare also Swedish krafsa (“to scatch; scabble”), Norwegian krafse (“to scramble”).

Synonyms

hold

seize

grip

grab

catch

clutch

understand

snatch

comprehend

clasp

take

take hold of

apprehend

squeeze

compass

🧭

perceive

understanding

arrest

clench

comprehension

capture

grapple

press

embrace

reach

savvy

get

hold tight

catch hold of

hold on

hold in arm

gripe

clutches

hold on to

dig

touch

appreciation

take hold

support

grok

realise

master

nab

clamp

🗜️

seizure

know

hug

catch on

sense

snap

Translations

agarrar

saisir

afferrare

greifen

grijpen

ergreifen

asir

erfassen

begreifen

coger

verstehen

prendere

comprendre

fassen

fangen

Sentences

It was just that he couldn't grasp what it meant .