[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/grasp/)

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# grasp

verb (grasp, grasps, grasped, grasping); noun (a grasp — usually singular)

«grasp» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (verb) To take and hold something tightly: She grasped the rope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#m1)
2. (verb) To understand something, especially something hard: He quickly grasped the idea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#m2)
3. (noun) A firm hold: Keep a tight grasp on the rail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#m3)
4. (noun) Understanding: a good grasp of maths. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#m4)
5. (noun) Reach; how close something is to being got: Victory was within our grasp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#m5)

### In the lessons

In school a teacher checks pupils have a «good grasp» of fractions; in safety lessons you grasp the handrail on stairs; in stories something is «within grasp» or «out of grasp». Phrases: «grasp the idea», «a good grasp of», «within your grasp», «grasp at straws».

### Examples

- Grasp the handrail as you go down the stairs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x1)
- The baby grasped my finger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x2)
- It took me a while to grasp long division. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x3)
- She has a good grasp of French. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x4)
- The ball slipped from his grasp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x5)
- Winning the cup was within our grasp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x6)
- "Stay, foolish youth," said Medea, grasping his arm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb. Grasp (understand) is a little formal; casual words are «get» or «get the hang of». «Grasping» as an adjective means greedy.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Psalms it means the hold or power of a wicked person, from which the psalmist prays God to rescue him.

**Interpretation.** The tradition reads the psalm as trust that God can free the weak from the power of the cruel.

### Examples

- A separate consideration of the several parts should follow this general grasp of the subject, else much confusion may result. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/grasp/#x1)
- O my God, rescue me out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man. (Writings PSA.71.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/grasp/#x2)

### Note

Regular verb. Grasp (understand) is a little formal; casual words are «get» or «get the hang of». «Grasping» as an adjective means greedy.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «grasp» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grasp/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«grasp» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/grasp.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «grasp» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/grasp/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«grasp» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/grasp.html) on Mova free.