grip

—gripless, adj.

/grip/, n., v., gripped or gript, gripping.

n.

1. the act of grasping; a seizing and holding fast; firm grasp.

2. the power of gripping: He has a strong grip.

3. a grasp, hold, or control.

4. mental or intellectual hold: to have a good grip on a problem.

5. competence or firmness in dealing with situations in one's work or personal affairs: The boss is old and is losing his grip.

6. a special mode of clasping hands: Members of the club use the secret grip.

7. something that seizes and holds, as a clutching device on a cable car.

8. a handle or hilt: That knife has a very unusual grip.

9. a sudden, sharp pain; spasm of pain.

10. grippe.

11. Older Use. a small traveling bag.

12. -

a. Theat. a stagehand, esp. one who works on the stage floor.

b. Motion Pictures, Television. a general assistant available on a film set for shifting scenery, moving furniture, etc.

13. come to grips with,

a. to encounter; meet; cope with: She had never come to grips with such a situation before.

b. to deal with directly or firmly: We didn't come to grips with the real problem.

v.t.

14. to grasp or seize firmly; hold fast: We gripped the sides of the boat as the waves tossed us about.

15. to take hold on; hold the interest of: to grip the mind.

16. to attach by a grip or clutch.

v.i.

17. to take firm hold; hold fast.

18. to take hold on the mind.

[bef. 900; ME, OE gripe grasp (n.); c. G Griff, OE gripa handful; see GRIPE]

Syn. 15. impress, attract, rivet, hold, fascinate.

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