to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms.

to seize upon; hold firmly.

to get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand

I don't grasp your meaning.

to make an attempt to seize, or a motion of seizing, something (usually fol. by at or for )

a drowning man grasping at straws; to grasp for an enemy's rifle.

the act of grasping or gripping, as with the hands or arms

to make a grasp at something.

a hold or grip

to have a firm grasp of a rope.

one's arms or hands, in embracing or gripping

He took her in his grasp.

one's power of seizing and holding; reach

to have a thing within one's grasp.

hold, possession, or mastery

to wrest power from the grasp of a usurper.

mental hold or capacity; power to understand.

broad or thorough comprehension

a good grasp of computer programming.