Grapnel

Quick meaning: Grapnel is a noun meaning (nautical) A small anchor, having more than two flukes, used for anchoring a small vessel.

Meaning

(nautical) A small anchor, having more than two flukes, used for anchoring a small vessel.

More Meanings

1. (nautical) A grappling iron.
2. (transitive, nautical) To connect (ships) with a grapnel.
3. 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.

Example Sentences

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

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

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.

[…] 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 […]

Word Forms

• grapnels
• grapneling
• grapnelling
• grapneled
• grapnelled

Synonyms for grapnel

Depending on context, synonyms include graplin, grapple, grappler.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include grapple, grappler, fluke, creeper, fish, rond-anchor.

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