To grasp firmly with the hand; gripe; hence, to seize and hold fast by force of any kind.Nautical, to take hold; hold fast: as, the anchor grips.n. The act of grasping strongly with the hand or by other means; a seizing and holding fast; firm grasp: as, a friendly grip; the grip of a vise.n. Mode of grasping; specifically, the grasp peculiar to any secret society as a means of recognition: as, the masonic grip.n. That by which anything is grasped; a handle or hilt: as, the grip of a bow, of a sword or dagger, or of a gun-stock. See barrel, 5 .n. In mining, a purchase or lifting-dog used to draw up boring-rods, by catching them under the collar at the joints.n. In theatrical cant, a man employed to move scenery and properties.n. A gripsack (which see).n. A hole through which tarred rope is drawn, to press the tar into the yarn and remove the superfluous portion. Also called gage and sliding-nippers.n. A clutching device attached to a railroad-car for connecting it with a moving traction-cable as a means of propulsion. See cable-railroad.n. Epidemic influenza: same as grippe.n. A small ditch or trench; a channel to carry off water or other liquid; a drain.n. Any kind of sink.To trench; drain; cut into ditches or channels.n. See gripe.n. In track athletics, apiece of cork, shaped to fit the hollow of the hand, which a runner grips when running.