1.  grapple(n = noun.artifact) grapnel, grappler, grappling hook, grappling iron - a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope; Array
is a kind of tool
has parts: claw, hook
has particulars: crampon, crampoon

2.  grapple(n = noun.artifact) clamshell - a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam; Array
is a kind of dredging bucket

3.  grapple(n = noun.act) grappling, hand-to-hand struggle, wrestle, wrestling - the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat; "they had a fierce wrestle"; "we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully"
is a kind of struggle
Derived form verb grapple₂

1.  grapple(v = verb.social) contend, cope, deal, get by, make do, make out, manage - come to terms with; "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day"
is one way to act, move
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s PP

2.  grapple(v = verb.contact) grip - to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match; "the two men grappled with each other for several minutes"
is one way to clutch, prehend, seize
Derived forms noun grapple₃, noun grappler₁, noun grappling₂, noun grappling₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Somebody ----s PP

1.  To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist. [1913 Webster]

2.  To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly. [1913 Webster]
"The gallies were grappled to the Centurion." [1913 Webster]
"Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel." [1913 Webster]

   To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another. [1913 Webster]
"And in my standard bear the arms of York,
To grapple with the house of Lancaster." [1913 Webster]

1.  A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold. Milton. [1913 Webster]

2.  An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab. [1913 Webster]
"The iron hooks and grapples keen." [1913 Webster]

grapple, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. (often foll. by with) fight at close quarters or in close combat.
2 intr. (foll. by with) try to manage or overcome a difficult problem etc.
3 tr. a grip with the hands; come to close quarters with. b seize with or as with a grapnel; grasp.
--n.
1 a a hold or grip in or as in wrestling. b a contest at close quarters.
2 a clutching-instrument; a grapnel.

Idiom:
grappling-iron (or -hook) = GRAPNEL.

Derivative:
grappler n.

Etymology:
OF grapil (n.) f. Prov., dimin. of grapa hook (as GRAPNEL)

VB  join, unite, conjoin, connect, associate, put together, lay together, clap together, hang together, lump together, hold together, piece together, tack together, fix together, bind up together together, embody, reembody, roll into one, attach, fix, affix, saddle on, fasten, bind, secure, clinch, twist, make fast, tie, pinion, string, strap, sew, lace, tat, stitch, tack, knit, button, buckle, hitch, lash, truss, bandage, braid, splice, swathe, gird, tether, moor, picket, harness, chain, fetter, lock, latch, belay, brace, hook, grapple, leash, couple, accouple, link, yoke, bracket, marry, bridge over, span, braze, pin, nail, bolt, hasp, clasp, clamp, crimp, screw, rivet, impact, solder, set, weld together, fuse together, wedge, rabbet, mortise, miter, jam, dovetail, enchase, graft, ingraft, inosculate, entwine, intwine, interlink, interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, entangle, twine round, belay, tighten, trice up, screw up, be joined, hang together, hold together, cohere.

VB  take, catch, hook, nab, bag, sack, pocket, put into one's pocket, receive, accept, reap, crop, cull, pluck, gather, draw, appropriate, expropriate, impropriate, assume, possess oneself of, take possession of, commandeer, lay one's hands on, clap one's hands on, help oneself to, make free with, dip one's hands into, lay under contribution, intercept, scramble for, deprive of, take away, carry away, bear away, take off, carry off, bear off, adeem, abstract, hurry off with, run away with, abduct, steal, ravish, seize, pounce upon, spring upon, swoop to, swoop down upon, take by storm, take by assault, snatch, reave, snap up, nip up, whip up, catch up, kidnap, crimp, capture, lay violent hands on, get hold of, lay hold of, take hold of, catch hold of, lay fast hold of, take firm hold of, lay by the heels, take prisoner, fasten upon, grip, grapple, embrace, gripe, clasp, grab, clutch, collar, throttle, take by the throat, claw, clinch, clench, make sure of, catch at, jump at, make a grab at, snap at, snatch at, reach, make a long arm, stretch forth one's hand, take from, take away from, disseize, deduct, retrench, dispossess, ease one of, snatch from one's grasp, tear from, tear away from, wrench from, wrest from, wring from, extort, deprive of, bereave, disinherit, cut off with a shilling, oust, divest, levy, distrain, confiscate, sequester, sequestrate, accroach, usurp, despoil, strip, fleece, shear, displume, impoverish, eat out of house and home, drain, drain to the dregs, gut, dry, exhaust, swallow up, absorb, draw off, suck the blood of, suck like a leech, retake, resume, recover.

grapple with