grapple

[prettygoodword]

grapple (GRAP-uhl) - v., to seize firmly with the hands; to wrestle; to struggle or work hard to deal with something.


Also, as a noun, a hook-like device (such as a grappling hook) for holding onto something, but that turns out to be a different word with a separate origin (PIE root *grep-, hook instead of *gʰrebʰ-, seize). This one is a frequentive, formed in Old English as græpplian, of gegrǣppian, to seize and ancestor of grab. So essentially the frequentive of grab, the extended type of frequent rather than the many-times type.


And that wraps up this week of more frequentives. Back next week with the usual mix, but yes, I have more of these planned in the future. Frequentives are fascinating.

---L.

Comments

[conuly]

Frequentives are fascinating.

You can say that again! And again, and again, and again, and again....

[prettygoodword]

Hold still -- I need to whap you with this salmon

[conuly]

Fishle?

[prettygoodword]

Doesn't need to be a repeated whapping. Unless you keep it up.

[octahedrite]

Aw yiss

[prettygoodword]

yee haw!

[lokifan]

Also, as a noun, a hook-like device (such as a grappling hook) for holding onto something, but that turns out to be a different word with a separate origin

Huh! Very interesting. I've enjoyed the frequentives, thanks!

[prettygoodword]

I hadn't realized grapple was two different words till I was writing it up.