1. (noun)grapnel, grapple, grappler, grappling hook, grappling iron a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope
2. (noun)clamshell, grapple a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam
3. (verb)wrestle, wrestling, grapple, grappling, hand-to-hand struggle the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat "they had a fierce wrestle"; "we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully"
4. (verb)cope, get by, make out, make do, contend, grapple, deal, manage come to terms with "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day"
5. (verb)grapple, grip to grip or seize, as in a wrestlingmatch "the two men grappled with each other for several minutes"