from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Grapple \Grap"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grappled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Grappling}.] [F. grappiller, OF. graypil the grapple of a
ship, fr. graper to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German
origin. See {Grape}.]
1. To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close
quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.
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2. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join
indissolubly.
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The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
--Hakluyt.
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Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.
--Shak.
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