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A grapple; a struggle. A match for yards in fight, in grappling for the bear. Dryden. Grappling iron, a hooked iron used for grappling and holding fast a vessel or other object. -- Grappling tongs, broad-mouthed tongs for gathering oysters.

person or problem) directly; taking the bull by the horns. Syn. -- braving, coping with, grappling, tackling. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them.

used to hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed to grapple or hold; a grappling iron; a grab; -- written also grapline, and crapnel.

A grappling iron. The iron hooks and grapples keen. Spenser. Grapple plant (Bot.), a South African herb (Herpagophytum leptocarpum) having the woody fruits armed with long hooked or barbed thorns by which they adhere to cattle, causing intense annoyance. -- Grapple shot (Life-saving Service), a projectile, to which ar…

A grappling; close fight or embrace. [Obs.] Spenser.

A grappling iron. [Obs.]

A pair of grappling dogs for hoisting logs and timber.

To contend, by grappling with, and striving to trip or throw down, an opponent; as, they wrestled skillfully. To-morrow, sir, I wrestle for my credit, and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well. Shak. Another, by a fall in wrestling, started the end of the clavicle from the sternum. Wiseman.…