Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: grippan

grip

2 verb
     
grip2 past tense and past participle gripped, present participle gripping
1

hold tightly

[transitive] to hold something very tightly:
I gripped the rail and tried not to look down.
grip something tightly/firmly
The woman moved closer to Beth, gripping her arm tightly.
2

have a strong effect

[transitive] to have a strong effect on someone or something:
a country gripped by economic problems
Panic suddenly gripped me when it was my turn to speak.
3

interest somebody

[transitive] to hold someone's attention and interest:
a story that really grips you
4

not slip

[intransitive and transitive] if something grips a surface, it stays on it without slipping:
Radial tires grip the road well.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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