Grasp \Grasp\, n.
   1. A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or
      infolding in the arms. "The grasps of love." --Shak.
      
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   2. Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and
      holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.
      
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   3. Forcible possession; hold.
      
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            The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.
                                                  --Shak.
      
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   4. Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects
      and hold them under survey.
      
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            The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not,
            in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors. --Z.
                                                  Taylor.
      
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   5. The handle of a sword or of an oar.
      
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Grasp \Grasp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grasper}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Qraspine}.] [OE. graspen; prob. akin to LG. grupsen, or to
   E. grope. Cf. {Grab}, {Grope}.]
   1. To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the
      fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of.
      
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            Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff. --Shak.
      
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   2. To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly
      acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.
      
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Grasp \Grasp\, v. i.
   To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch;
   to struggle; to strive.
   
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         As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by
         strength subdued.                        --Shak.
   
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   {To grasp at}, to catch at; to try to seize; as, Alexander
      grasped at universal empire,
      
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