Grip

Grip, grip, n. grasp or firm hold with the hand, &c.: the handle or part by which anything is grasped: a mode of grasping, a particular mode of grasping hands for mutual recognition, as by Freemasons: a clutching device connecting a car with a moving traction-cable: oppression: pinching distress.—v.t. to take fast hold of, to grasp or gripe:—pr.p. grip′ping; pa.p. gripped, gript.—v.t. Grīpe, to grasp with the hand: to seize and hold fast: to squeeze: to give pain to the bowels.—n. fast hold, grasp: forcible retention: a griffin: a usurer: (pl.) severe spasmodic pain in the intestines.—n. Grīp′er.—p.adj. Grīp′ing, avaricious: of a pain that catches or seizes acutely.—adv. Grīp′ingly, in a griping or oppressive manner.—ns. Grippe, influenza or epidemic catarrh; Grip′per, one who, or that which, grips.—adj. Grip′ple (Spens.), griping, grasping: greedy.—n. a gripe.—n. Grip′-sack, a hand-satchel.—Lose one's grip, to lose hold or control. [A.S. grípan, grap, gripen; Ice. grípa, Ger. grei′fen, Dut. grijpen; allied to grab.]