grasp

1. 1

   To grip; to take hold, particularly with the hand.

   • How few! yet how they creep / Through my fingers to the deep, / While I weep—while I weep! / O God! can I not grasp / Them with a tighter clasp?
2. 2

   To understand.

   • I have never been able to grasp the concept of infinity.
3. 3

   To take advantage of something, to seize, to jump at a chance.

syn. grip · hold tight · beclasp · begrasp · begrip · belock · clench · clinch · cling · clutch · enclasp · fang

ant. let go · release

1. 1

   Grip.figurativelysometimes

   • A vagrant gust of wind snatched the note from my grasp.
   • in the tyrant's grasp
2. 2

   Understanding.

   • There is for the mind but one grasp of happiness: from that uppermost pinnacle of wisdom, whence we see that this world is well designed.
3. 3

   That which is accessible; that which is within one's reach or ability.

   • The goal is within my grasp.