Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Grasp \Grasp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grasper}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Qraspine}.] [OE. graspen; prob. akin to LG. grupsen, or to
   E. grope. Cf. {Grab}, {Grope}.]
   1. To seize and hold by clasping or embracing with the
      fingers or arms; to catch to take possession of.

            Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff. --Shak.

   2. To lay hold of with the mind; to become thoroughly
      acquainted or conversant with; to comprehend.

Grasp \Grasp\, v. i.
   To effect a grasp; to make the motion of grasping; to clutch;
   to struggle; to strive.

         As one that grasped And tugged for life and was by
         strength subdued.                        --Shak.

   {To grasp at}, to catch at; to try to seize; as, Alexander
      grasped at universal empire,

Grasp \Grasp\, n.
   1. A gripe or seizure of the hand; a seizure by embrace, or
      infolding in the arms. ``The grasps of love.'' --Shak.

   2. Reach of the arms; hence, the power of seizing and
      holding; as, it was beyond his grasp.

   3. Forcible possession; hold.

            The whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp.
                                                  --Shak.

   4. Wide-reaching power of intellect to comprehend subjects
      and hold them under survey.

            The foremost minds of the next . . . era were not,
            in power of grasp, equal to their predecessors. --Z.
                                                  Taylor.

   5. The handle of a sword or of an oar.

Source : WordNet®

grasp
     n 1: understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or
          magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of
          accounting practices" [syn: {appreciation}, {hold}]
     2: the limit of capability; "within the compass of education"
        [syn: {compass}, {range}, {reach}]
     3: a firm controlling influence; "they kept a firm grip on the
        two top priorities"; "he was in the grip of a powerful
        emotion"; "a terrible power had her in its grasp" [syn: {grip}]
     4: the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he
        has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold
        on the railing" [syn: {clasp}, {clench}, {clutch}, {clutches},
         {grip}, {hold}]
     v 1: hold firmly [syn: {hold on}]
     2: get the meaning of something; "Do you comprehend the meaning
        of this letter?" [syn: {get the picture}, {comprehend}, {savvy},
         {dig}, {compass}, {apprehend}]