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   grapple

   /ˈɡrapl/

   verb

   • 1. engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons; wrestle: "passers-by grappled with the man after the knife attack" Similar wrestlestruggletusslebrawlfightscuffleclashcombatbattlecloseengage
   • ▪ seize hold of (someone): "he grappled the young man around the throat" Similar seizegrablay hold oftake hold ofgripholdgraspclaspclenchcatch hold ofcatchlay one's hands onget one's hands onOpposite let go ofrelease
   • ▪ struggle to deal with or overcome (a difficulty or challenge): "other towns are still grappling with the problem" Similar tackleconfrontaddress oneself tofaceattend toattackget down todeal withcope withget/come to grips withconcentrate onfocus onapply oneself todevote oneself toinformal:get stuck intoget cracking onget weaving onhave a crack athave a go athave a shot athave a stab atOpposite avoid
   • 2. seize or hold with a grappling hook. archaic

   noun

   • 1. an act of grappling.
   • ▪ a wrestling match. informal
   • 2. an instrument for seizing hold of something; a grappling hook.

   Word Origin Middle English (as a noun denoting a grappling hook): from Old French grapil, from Provençal, diminutive of grapa ‘hook’, of Germanic origin; related to grape. The verb dates from the mid 16th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. grappler noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • G

     2

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • P

     3

   • P

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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