Grabble

/ˈɡɹæbl̩/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive) To search with one's hands and fingers; to attempt to grasp something..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To search with one's hands and fingers; to attempt to grasp something.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To search in a similar way using an implement.
3. (transitive) To touch (someone) with one's hands or fingers, sometimes in a sexual way.
4. (transitive) To pick (something or someone) up hastily, roughly or clumsily.
5. (transitive) To attempt to grab; to grasp at (something).
6. (transitive) To pull, lift or dig (something) (out of the ground) by searching with one's hands and fingers.
7. (transitive, obsolete) To lift (something) out in a similar way using an implement.
8. (ambitransitive, now Southeastern US) To catch fish by reaching into the water with one's hand.

Example Sentences

1614, John Taylor, Water-Worke: or, The Sculler’s Travels, Dedication, in All the Works of John Taylor the Water Poet, London: James Boler, 1630, reprinted for the Spenser Society, 1869, Ile grable for Gudgeons or fish for Flounders in the Rereward of our eminent temporizing Humorists, sharpe Satyrists, or Ænigmaticall Epigramatists.

1887, Oscar Wilde, “The Canterville Ghost,” Chapter III, in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime & Other Stories, London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., 1891, p. 113, A few hollow groans from the wardrobe, he thought, would be more than sufficient, or, if that failed to wake her, he might grabble at the counterpane with palsy-twitching fingers.

[…] when he should come to pay his Reckoning he puts his hands into his Pockets, and keeps a grabling and a fumbling, and shaking, at last tells you he has left his Money at home; when all the company knew at first, he had no Money there, for every man can quickly find his own Money.

He has only a few Scratches on his Face; which, said she, I suppose he got by grabbling among the Gravel, at the bottom of the Dam, to try to find a Hole in the Ground, to hide himself from the Robbers.

[…] we see beneath the digger’s spade earth spill her hidden treasures out, and greedy hands go grabbling after gold,

[…] he proposes to spend the Afternoon at the Out-side of the Rock, in viewing the Sea, and looking for Oysters; so takes in his Hand his long Staff to grabble in Holes […]

1719, Thomas d'Urfey, “Willey’s Intreague” in Wit and Mirth: or Pills to Purge Melancholy, London: J. Tonson, 1876 reprint, p. 195, When Nelly tho’ he teiz’d her, And Grabbled her and Squeez’d her, Cry’d, stay a little, I vow and swear I could kill ye, Another touch I can bear ye,

I struggle, confused, frightened, which he mistakes for excitement, grabbling my breasts, scrubbing them in circles as he plunges his tongue.

Synonyms for grabble

Antonyms for grabble

Related Words

Word Forms

• grabbles
• grabbling
• grabbled

Usage Notes

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