GR'ASP, verb transitive To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the fingers or arms. We say, to grasp with the hand, or with the arms. 1. To catch; to seize; to lay hold of; to take possession of. Kings often grasp more than they can hold. GR'ASP, verb intransitive To catch or seize; to gripe. 1. To struggle; to strive. [Not in use.] 2. To encroach. To grasp at, to catch at; to try to seize. Alexander grasped at universal empire. GR'ASP, noun The gripe or seizure of the hand. This seems to be its proper sense; but it denotes also a seizure by embrace, or infolding in the arms. 1. Possession; hold. 2. Reach of the arms; and figuratively, the power of seizing. Bonaparte seemed to think he had the Russian empire within his grasp
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI