grasp

Etymology

From Middle English graspen, grapsen, craspen (“to grope; feel around”), from Old English *grǣpsian, from Proto-West Germanic *graipisōn, from Proto-Germanic *graipisōną, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to take, seize, rake”), the same ultimate source as grab. Cognate with German Low German grapsen (“to grab; grasp”), German grapsen and grapschen, Saterland Frisian Grapse (“double handful”), Old English grāpian ("to touch, feel, grasp"; > Modern English grope). Compare also Swedish krafsa (“to scatch; scabble”), Norwegian krafse (“to scramble”).

verb

1. To grip; to take hold, particularly with the hand.
2. To understand.
   I have never been able to grasp the concept of infinity.
3. To take advantage of something, to seize, to jump at a chance.

noun

1. (sometimes figurative) Grip.
   If a mirror does slip from your grasp, do not attempt to catch it. Just get out of the way. 1980, Robert M. Jones, editor, Walls and Ceilings, Time-Life Books, page 44
2. Understanding.
3. That which is accessible; that which is within one's reach or ability.
   The goal is within my grasp.