Grapnel vs. Grapple: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 20, 2024
A grapnel is a small anchor with multiple hooks used for securing boats or retrieving objects, while a grapple is a device with claws or hooks used for grasping or seizing, often used in climbing or mechanical operations.
Key Differences
A grapnel is a type of small anchor with several hooks or prongs, typically used for securing boats, retrieving items from water, or climbing. It is designed to catch onto objects, providing stability or retrieval capabilities. A grapple, on the other hand, refers to a device with claws, hooks, or gripping mechanisms used for seizing or holding objects. It is commonly used in climbing, logging, or mechanical operations.
Grapnels are often associated with maritime activities and are useful for anchoring or retrieving items. They can also be used in tactical scenarios, such as scaling walls. Grapples, however, are more versatile, found in both manual forms for climbing and mechanical forms in industrial machinery.
While both devices involve hooks or claws, their primary distinction lies in their specific uses: grapnels are anchors or retrieval tools, whereas grapples are gripping or lifting devices.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Small anchor with multiple hooks
Device with claws or hooks for grasping or lifting
Primary Use
Securing boats, retrieving items
Climbing, logging, mechanical operations
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Typical Context
Maritime, tactical
Climbing, industrial, logging
Mechanism
Hooks or prongs to catch and hold
Claws or gripping mechanisms
Example Usage
"The sailor threw the grapnel overboard."
"The worker used a grapple to lift debris."
Grapnel and Grapple Definitions
Grapnel
An anchor used in small boats or dinghies.
They dropped the grapnel to keep the dinghy from drifting.
Grapple
A device with claws or hooks used for grasping or seizing objects.
The construction worker used a grapple to lift the heavy debris.
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Grapnel
A fishing tool for retrieving lost nets or traps.
The fishermen used a grapnel to recover their lost net.
Grapple
A mechanical device in logging for handling logs.
The logging machine's grapple effortlessly picked up the logs.
Grapnel
A small anchor with multiple hooks used for securing boats or retrieving objects.
The sailor threw the grapnel to anchor the boat near the shore.
Grapple
A wrestling hold for seizing and holding an opponent.
He used a grapple to pin his opponent to the ground.
Grapnel
A device used in tactical operations to gain access to structures.
The special forces team used a grapnel to climb the building.
Grapple
An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron.
Grapnel
A tool used in climbing to secure ropes or assist in scaling walls.
The climber tossed the grapnel to secure it to the ledge.
Grapple
See grapnel.
Grapnel
A small anchor with three or more flukes, especially one used for anchoring a small vessel. Also called grapple, grappling.
Grapple
Any of various grasping devices having hinged tines or jaws that close around an object or load, used especially in lifting or dragging heavy items.
Grapnel
See grapple.
Grapple
The act of grappling.
Grapnel
(nautical) A small anchor, having more than two flukes, used for anchoring a small vessel.
Grapple
A struggle or contest in which the participants attempt to wrestle with each other by clutching or gripping.
Grapnel
A device with a multiple hook at one end and attached to a rope, which is thrown or hooked over a firm mooring to secure an object attached to the other end of the rope.
Grapple
A struggle for superiority or dominance.
Grapnel
(nautical) A grappling iron.
Grapple
To seize and hold with a grapple
Grappled the prow of the ship.
Grapnel
To connect (ships) with a grapnel.
Grapple
To seize firmly with the hands
"Jules ... grappled the backpack chained over the back of Izzy's bike and began scrabbling through it" (Bella Bathurst).
Grapnel
A small anchor, with four or five flukes or claws, used to hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed to grapple or hold; a grappling iron; a grab; - written also grapline, and crapnel.
Grapple
To hold onto something with a grapple
"The 150-odd ships closed and grappled, initiating the most important naval battle of the Hundred Years' War" (Clifford J. Rogers).
Grapnel
A tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope
Grapple
To use a grapple or similar device, as for dragging.
Grapnel
A light anchor for small boats
Grapple
To wrestle with an opponent by clutching or gripping.
Grapple
To struggle or work hard to deal with something
Grappled with their consciences.
Grapple with the political realities of our time.
Grapple
(transitive) To seize something and hold it firmly.
Grapple
(intransitive) To wrestle or tussle.
Grapple
To ponder and intensely evaluate a problem; to struggle to deal with.
To grapple with one's conscience
Grapple
(transitive) To fasten, as with a grapple; (by extension) to fix; to join indissolubly.
Grapple
To climb (whether by means of a grapple and rope, or by hand, etc).
Grapple
(intransitive) To use a grapple (for example to attempt to find, hook, and raise a net or cable).
Grapple
To hook and raise with a grapple.
Grapple
A close hand-to-hand struggle.
Grapple
The act of grappling. (uncountable)
Grapple
A tool with claws or hooks which is used to catch or hold something.
Grapple
(nautical) A device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grappling iron.
Grapple
(nautical) A gloss=type of anchor.
Grapple
(marketing) A combination of grape and apple flavors.
Grapple
To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.
Grapple
To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.
The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.
Grapple
To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another.
And in my standard bear the arms of York,To grapple with the house of Lancaster.
Grapple
A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold.
Grapple
An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab.
The iron hooks and grapples keen.
Grapple
A tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope
Grapple
A dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam
Grapple
The act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat;
They had a fierce wrestle
We watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully
Grapple
Come to terms or deal successfully with;
We got by on just a gallon of gas
They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
Grapple
To grip or seize, as in a wrestling match;
The two men grappled with each other for several minutes
Grapple
A tool used in climbing to grip onto surfaces.
The climber secured his grapple to the rock face.
Grapple
A robotic arm attachment used for picking up and manipulating objects.
The robot's grapple was designed to handle delicate items.
FAQs
What is a grapnel?
A grapnel is a small anchor with multiple hooks used for securing boats or retrieving objects.
Can a grapnel be used for climbing?
Yes, grapnels can be used to secure ropes or assist in scaling walls.
Are grapnels used in fishing?
Yes, grapnels can be used to retrieve lost nets or traps in fishing.
Do grapnels have multiple hooks?
Yes, grapnels typically have multiple hooks or prongs to catch and hold objects.
Is a grapple used in construction?
Yes, grapples are commonly used in construction to lift and move heavy debris.
What is a grapple?
A grapple is a device with claws or hooks used for grasping or seizing objects, often used in climbing or mechanical operations.
Can a grapple be used for logging?
Yes, grapples are often used in logging to handle logs.
Do grapples have claws?
Yes, grapples usually have claws or gripping mechanisms for seizing objects.
Is a grapnel used in maritime activities?
Yes, grapnels are commonly used in maritime contexts for anchoring and retrieving items.
Is a grapple used in climbing?
Yes, grapples can be used in climbing to grip onto surfaces.
Are grapnels used in tactical operations?
Yes, grapnels can be used in tactical operations to gain access to structures.
Are grapples used for delicate handling?
Yes, some grapples, especially in robotic systems, are designed for delicate handling of objects.
Is a grapnel more specialized for maritime use?
Yes, grapnels are particularly specialized for maritime and tactical uses.
Are grapples used in industrial machinery?
Yes, grapples are used in various industrial machinery for handling materials.
Are grapnels designed to catch onto objects?
Yes, grapnels are designed with hooks or prongs to catch and hold onto objects.
Do grapnels help in securing small boats?
Yes, grapnels are often used to anchor small boats or dinghies.
Is a grapple more versatile in its applications?
Yes, grapples are versatile and used in various fields including construction, climbing, logging, and robotics.
Can grapples be part of robotic systems?
Yes, grapples can be used as attachments in robotic systems for manipulating objects.
Can a grapple be used for wrestling?
Yes, in wrestling, a grapple refers to a hold for seizing and holding an opponent.
Can grapples lift heavy objects?
Yes, grapples are designed to lift and move heavy objects, especially in construction and logging.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
