Meaning of grapnel | Babel Free

Definitions

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.

Equivalents

Examples

“[…] we espied towards the North end⟳ of the Iland ye light⟳ of a great fire thorow the woods, to the which we presently rowed: when wee came right ouer against it, we let⟳ fall⟳ our Grapnel neere the shore, & sounded with a trumpet a Call⟳ […]”

“1790, William Bligh, A Narrative of the Mutiny on Board⟳ his Majesty’s Ship Bounty, London: George Nicol, Entry for 1 June, 1789, At dawn of day we got on shore, and tracked the boat into shelter⟳; for the wind blowing fresh without, and the ground being rocky, I was afraid to trust⟳ her at a grapnel, lest she might be blown to sea: I was, therefore, obliged to let⟳ her ground in the course of the ebb.”

“[…] the wind dying away, the signal was made for casting anchor, when both ships came to in 26 fathom water; but the Resolution expecting to come⟳ to with her small stream anchor, let⟳ the whole run⟳ out, and lost both anchor and hauser, besides the ship’s grapnel in looking for it.”

“With anxious grapnels I had sounded my pocket, and only brought up a few pieces of silver ...”

““[…] Why, you’ve flung your grapnel over the doctor, and he’s coming courting forthwith.””

“But by the mercy o’ God to heretics, what were left o’ my poor ship got a hold⟳ on that guarda-costa’s timbers wi’ her grapnels, what time we climbs aboard her.”

CEFR level