grasping in English
- grasping⇄adv. graspingly.
- grasping⇄grasping, adjective.
1. that grasps.
(SYN) tenacious.
2. (Figurative.) eager to get all that one can; greedy.
Ex. Stelling is moderate in his terms--he's not a grasping man (George Eliot).
(SYN) avaricious. - grasping⇄noun graspingness.
grasping in Sindhi سنڌي
grasping in Tamil தமிழ்
grasping in Telugu తెలుగు
Grasping
Part of Speech
Verb (Present Participle), Adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈɡræspɪŋ/ (US, UK)
Definitions
- (Verb) Holding something firmly with one's hands.
- (Verb) Understanding a concept or idea.
- (Adjective) Greedy or excessively eager for gain.
Usage Examples
- She was grasping the railing tightly to avoid falling.
- He had difficulty grasping the complex mathematical concepts.
- His grasping nature made him unpopular among his colleagues.
- The baby was instinctively grasping his mother’s finger.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English graspen (to seize), with Scandinavian origins. The adjective form emerged later to describe someone excessively greedy.
Synonyms
- (Verb) Holding, Clutching, Seizing, Understanding
- (Adjective) Greedy, Avaricious, Covetous, Materialistic
Antonyms
- (Verb) Releasing, Letting go, Misunderstanding
- (Adjective) Generous, Selfless, Charitable
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Agarre / Comprensión / Codicioso | aˈɣare / komprenˈsiɔn / koðiˈθjoso |
| French | Saisie / Compréhension / Cupide | sɛ.zi / kɔ̃.pʁe.ɑ̃.sjɔ̃ / kypid |
| German | Greifen / Verstehen / Gierig | ˈɡʁaɪ̯fn̩ / fɛɐ̯ˈʃteːən / ˈɡiːʁɪç |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 抓住 / 理解 / 贪婪的 | zhuā zhù / lǐ jiě / tān lán de |
| Hindi | पकड़ना / समझना / लालची | pakadna / samajhna / laalchi |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In American English, "grasping" is pronounced with a sharper "r" sound, while British English has a more rounded vowel sound.
Historical Usage
The word has been used since the 14th century in its literal sense. The figurative sense of "understanding" developed in the 16th century, and its use as a descriptor for greediness emerged in the 18th century.
Cultural Nuances
In Western cultures, "grasping" is often associated with intellectual comprehension. In some Asian cultures, the concept of grasping can symbolize persistence and determination, while its negative connotation (greed) is universally recognized.
More Information
The term "grasping" is widely used in cognitive sciences to describe the process of acquiring new knowledge. It is also a fundamental concept in motor control and psychology, referring to the innate ability of humans and primates to hold objects.