grappler

grap·ple  (grpl)

n.

1.

a. An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron.

b. Nautical See grapnel.

2. The act of grappling.

3.

a. A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to clutch or grip each other.

b. A struggle for superiority or dominance.

v. grap·pled, grap·pling, grap·ples

v.tr.

1. To seize and hold, as with a grapple.

2. To seize firmly, as with the hands.

v.intr.

1. To hold onto something with or as if with a grapple.

2. To use a grapple or similar device, as for dragging.

3. To struggle, in or as if in wrestling: grappled with their consciences; grapple with the political realities of our time.

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[Middle English grapel, from Old French grapil, diminutive of grape, hook; see grape.]

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grappler n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	grappler - combatant who tries to throw opponent to the ground matman, wrestler bantamweight - weighs 115-126 pounds battler, belligerent, combatant, fighter, scrapper - someone who fights (or is fighting) featherweight - weighs 126-139 pounds flyweight - weighs no more than 115 pounds heavyweight - a wrestler who weighs more than 214 pounds light heavyweight - a wrestler who weighs 192-214 pounds lightweight - a wrestler who weighs 139-154 pounds middleweight - a wrestler who weighs 172-192 pounds sumo wrestler - a wrestler who participates in sumo (a Japanese form of wrestling); "sumo wrestlers are large heavy men" welterweight - a wrestler who weighs 154-172 pounds
	2.	grappler - a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope grapnel, grapple, grappling hook, grappling iron crampon, crampoon - a hinged pair of curved iron bars; used to raise heavy objects claw, hook - a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something tool - an implement used in the practice of a vocation