Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Grasp Meaning: Understand & Seize with Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：comprehend fully (grasp)

grasp 🔊

/ɡræsp/

vt.

To understand an idea, fact, or subject completely and clearly.

Student grasping complex math formula with light bulb moment

comprehend fully 🔊

➕

/ˌkɑːmprɪˈhend ˈfʊli/

vt.

To fully understand or comprehend something, often after effort.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Old English 'græpsan' (to seize); akin to 'grab'. Semantic extension to mental grasp in 14c.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine your brain's hand gripping an idea. If you can hold it, you grasp it.

📖 Example

After the teacher explained it three times with different examples, I finally grasped the main idea of the article. 🔊 After the teacher explained it three times with different examples, I finally grasped the main idea of the article.

🔗 Collocations

grasp the concept – understand an abstract idea

grasp the meaning – understand the intended sense

grasp the significance – understand the importance of something

🔄 Synonyms

understand (v.) – to perceive the meaning of

comprehend (v.) – to grasp mentally

apprehend (v.) – to understand something

🚫 Antonyms

misunderstand (v.) – to fail to understand correctly

misinterpret (v.) – to understand wrongly

ignore (v.) – to refuse to pay attention to

🌱 Derivatives

graspable (adj.) – capable of being grasped

grasping (adj.) – greedy or eager to understand

ungraspable (adj.) – impossible to grasp

📖 Cultural Story

Originally a physical action, 'grasp' began to be used metaphorically for understanding in Middle English, reflecting the conceptual metaphor 'understanding is grasping'.

Meaning 2：seize with hand (grasp)

grasp 🔊

/ɡræsp/

vt.

To take hold of something with your hand and keep it there.

Hand firmly grasping thick textured rope close-up

seize with hand 🔊

➕

/siːz wɪð hænd/

vt.

To take hold of something firmly with the hand.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The child reached out to grasp her mother's hand tightly while crossing the busy street. 🔊 The child reached out to grasp her mother's hand tightly while crossing the busy street.

🔗 Collocations

grasp the rope – hold the rope firmly

grasp someone's hand – take hold of someone's hand

grasp tightly – hold with strength

🔄 Synonyms

grab (v.) – to take hold of suddenly or roughly

clutch (v.) – to hold tightly

grip (v.) – to take and keep a firm hold of

🚫 Antonyms

release (v.) – to let go of

let go (v.) – to stop holding

drop (v.) – to allow to fall

🌱 Derivatives

graspable (adj.) – able to be held

grasping (adj.) – tending to seize greedily

ungraspable (adj.) – not able to be held