GRASP
—verb. 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). —none. 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]