To reach after

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Reach \Reach\, v. i.
   1. To stretch out the hand.
      [1913 Webster]

            Goddess humane, reach, then, and freely taste!
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To strain after something; to make efforts.
      [1913 Webster]

            Reaching above our nature does no good. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To extend in dimension, time, amount, action, influence,
      etc., so as to touch, attain to, or be equal to,
      something.
      [1913 Webster]

            And behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top
            of it reached to heaven.              --Gen. xxviii.
                                                  12.
      [1913 Webster]

            The new world reaches quite across the torrid zone.
                                                  --Boyle.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Naut.) To sail on the wind, as from one point of tacking
      to another, or with the wind nearly abeam.
      [1913 Webster]

   {To reach after} or {To reach for} or {To reach at}, to make
      efforts to attain to or obtain.
      [1913 Webster]

            He would be in the posture of the mind reaching
            after a positive idea of infinity.    --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]
    

[email protected]