grapnel
/ˈɡɹæpnəl/ noun, verb
Forms grapnels grapneling grapnelling grapneled grapnelled
- noun (nautical) A small anchor, having more than two flukes, used for anchoring a small vessel.
- noun 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.
- noun (nautical) A grappling iron.
- verb (transitive, nautical) To connect (ships) with a grapnel.
Synonyms
graplin grapple grappler grappling hook grappling iron grapnel anchor
Etymology
From Middle English grapnel, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French grapil, grapin. Compare modern French grappin.
Webster’s 1913
- noun 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.
Etymology [OE. grapenel, dim. fr. F. grappin the grapple of a ship; of German origin. See Grape.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “grapnel”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details