English Explanatory Dictionary

grapnel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small anchor, having more than two flukes, used for anchoring a small vessel.
  2. 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.
  3. A grappling iron.
verb
  1. To connect (ships) with a grapnel.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡɹæpnəl/ en-us-grapnel.ogg

Word forms

grapnel grapnels grapneling grapnelling grapneled grapnelled

Etymology

From Middle English grapnel, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French grapil, grapin. Compare modern French grappin.

Synonyms

graplin
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on G Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary