Middle English Dictionary Entry
graspen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | graspen v. Also grapsen, craspen. |
| Etymology | ?OE *grǣpsan; cp. LG grapsen, krafsa & Norw. krafse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To grope, feel around; ~ about; (b) to reach with the hand(s; ~ after (on, to), reach for (sth.); (c) ppl. grasping, petting, caressing, cajoling.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Job 12.25 : Thei shul graspen [vrr. grape, gropen; WB(2): grope; L palpabunt] as in dercnessis, and not in liȝt; and he shal make them to erren as drunken.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4293 : This Iohn..graspeth [vrr. gropeth, grapeth] by the walles to and fro To fynde a staf.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)85a/a : He [a blind man] puttiþ forþ þe hond al aboute gropinge and graspinge [L contrectando]..wiþ his honde.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Deut.28.29 : Thow shalt graasp [vr. grappe; WB(2): grope; L palpes] in mydday, as is woned a blynd man to graasp [vr. grappe; WB(2): grope; L palpare] in derknissis.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.223 : And graspe aboute I may, but in this place, Save a pilowe, I fynde naught t'enbrace.
- ?c1425 Hoccl.RP (Roy 17.D.6)p.8 : That grapsest here and there as doth the blynde.
- c1430 Chaucer LGW (Cmb Gg.4.27)2186 : Ryght in the dawynnyng awakyth she And graspith [vrr. gropeth, grapid] In the bed & fond ryght nought.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)212 : Þou graspist heer & þere, as doþ þe blynde, And ay mys-gost.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)81/2420 : Thus am y blynd..Al fer myswent, with my staf grapsyng wey.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)53b/b : Þe child ofte touchiþ it & gropiþ & graspiþ þeraftir [L a puero tangitur et palpatur].
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)347 : O! wher-to graspen yee so fer, and grope Aftir swich thyng.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)502 : Þere we mowe graspen on þe grene, and gret ioie here Of brem briddene song.
- a1500(?c1450) Florence (Cmb Ff.2.38:Vietor)678 : Owt of þer sadyls þey felle be syde, And graspyd to odur gere.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)649 : He be-gan to craspe after his arme, for to take from hym his swerde out of his honde.
c
- (a1382) WBible(1) Pref.Jer.(Bod 959)26/8 : Verrey forsoþ þat frenschip is..not grasping [L palpans] & trecherous flatryng.