Grapnel vs. Grapple: What's the Difference?

A small anchor with three or more flukes, especially one used for anchoring a small vessel. Also called grapple, grappling.

An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron.

See grapple.

See grapnel.

(nautical) A small anchor, having more than two flukes, used for anchoring a small vessel.

Any of various grasping devices having hinged tines or jaws that close around an object or load, used especially in lifting or dragging heavy items.

A device with a multiple hook at one end and attached to a rope, which is thrown or hooked over a firm mooring to secure an object attached to the other end of the rope.

The act of grappling.

(nautical) A grappling iron.

A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to wrestle with each other by clutching or gripping.

To connect (ships) with a grapnel.

A struggle for superiority or dominance.

A small anchor, with four or five flukes or claws, used to hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed to grapple or hold; a grappling iron; a grab; - written also grapline, and crapnel.

To seize and hold with a grapple

A tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope

To seize firmly with the hands

A light anchor for small boats

To hold onto something with a grapple

To use a grapple or similar device, as for dragging.

To wrestle with an opponent by clutching or gripping.

To struggle or work hard to deal with something

(transitive) To seize something and hold it firmly.

(intransitive) To wrestle or tussle.

To ponder and intensely evaluate a problem; to struggle to deal with.

(transitive) To fasten, as with a grapple; (by extension) to fix; to join indissolubly.

To climb (whether by means of a grapple and rope, or by hand, etc).

(intransitive) To use a grapple (for example to attempt to find, hook, and raise a net or cable).

To hook and raise with a grapple.

A close hand-to-hand struggle.

The act of grappling. (uncountable)

A tool with claws or hooks which is used to catch or hold something.

(nautical) A device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grappling iron.

(nautical) A gloss=type of anchor.

(marketing) A combination of grape and apple flavors.

To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.

To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.

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.

A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold.

An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab.

A tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope

A dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam

The act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat;

Come to terms or deal successfully with;

To grip or seize, as in a wrestling match;