Multi-pronged throwing hooks
Grapnels are small anchors with multiple hooks or claws, used to grip surfaces or snag objects.
A grapnel can secure a small boat, or be thrown on a rope to catch hold of something—scaling a wall, dragging a riverbed, or boarding another vessel.
The hooked design lets it catch and hold where a conventional anchor wouldn't: They tossed a grapnel over the fence.
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Multi-pronged throwing hooks
Grapnels are small anchors with multiple hooks or claws, used to grip surfaces or snag objects.
A grapnel can secure a small boat, or be thrown on a rope to catch hold of something—scaling a wall, dragging a riverbed, or boarding another vessel.
The hooked design lets it catch and hold where a conventional anchor wouldn't: They tossed a grapnel over the fence.
1. nautical — anchor, Secures ships to seabed; mooring (Vessel's secured resting place); ship (Seagoing transport vessel); vessel (Receptacle for contents); harbor · marina · dock · berth · seabed · fluke · shank · chain · rope · cast
2. climbing — hook, Curved catching device; ascend (Move upward); climb (Ascend using effort); grip (Secure manual hold); clamber · scaling · rope · secure · attach · fasten · claw · catch · walls · siege
ANCHORING MECHANISMgrapnels ≠ sea anchors Drift-slowing marine devices
ATTACHMENT vs. RELEASE FUNCTIONgrapnels ≠ cutting tools Implements for severing materials
GRASPING vs. REPELLING ACTIONgrapnels ≠ fenders Vehicle splash protectors; bumpers
grapnel
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/grapnels