(grip)
See GRIPPE.

(grip) noun
1. The act of grasping firmly; a holding fast; clutch; a firm grasp.
2. A particular mode of grasping hands, as among members of a secret society, for mutual recognition.
3. U.S. A valise; gripsack.
4. That part of a thing by which it is grasped.
5. One of various mechanical grasping devices.
6. Ability to seize and hold physically or mentally; intellectual grasping power.
7. Slang A stagehand; a scene-shifter.
8. A twinge of pain.
—v. gripped or gript, grip·ping v.t.
1. To take firm hold of with or as with the hand; hold onto tightly.
2. To join or attach securely with a grip (def. 5).
3. To seize or capture, as the mind; attract and hold the attention or imagination of.
—v.i.
4. To take firm hold.
5. To take hold of the attention, imagination, etc. See synonyms under CATCH, GRASP. [Fusion of OE gripe a grasp and gripa handful, both <gripan seize. Akin to GROPE.]
—grip′per noun
—grip′ping adjective
—grip′ping·ly adverb