Grasp

v. 1 a clutch at; seize greedily. b hold firmly. 2 (foll. by at) try to seize; accept avidly. 3 understand or realize (a fact or meaning). n. 1 firm hold; grip. 2 (foll. by of) a mastery (a grasp of the situation). b mental hold.:: grasp the nettle tackle a difficulty boldly. [earlier grapse: related to GROPE]