grab / grab/ • v. (grabbed, grab·bing) [tr.] 1. grasp or seize suddenly and roughly: she grabbed him by the shirt collar she grabbed her keys and rushed out. ∎  [intr.] (grab at/for) make a sudden snatch at: he grabbed at the handle, missed, and nearly fell. ∎ inf. obtain or get (something) quickly or opportunistically, sometimes unscrupulously: I'll grab another drink while there's still time someone's grabbed my seat. ∎  [intr.] (of a brake on a vehicle) grip the wheel harshly or jerkily: the brakes grabbed very badly.2. inf. attract the attention of; make an impression on: how does that grab you?• n. 1. [in sing.] a quick, sudden clutch or attempt to seize: he made a grab at the pistol. ∎  an act of obtaining something opportunistically or unscrupulously: they used the law to effect a land grab.2. a mechanical device for clutching, lifting, and moving things, esp. materials in bulk. ∎  [as adj.] denoting a bar or strap for people to hold on to for support or in a moving vehicle: for elderly people, grab rails at strategic places are likely to prevent accidents.3. Comput. a frame of video or television footage, digitized and stored as a still image in a computer memory for subsequent display, printing, or editing: a screen grab from Wednesday's program.PHRASES: up for grabs inf. available; obtainable: great prizes up for grabs.DERIVATIVES: grab·ber n.

grab XVI. prob. — MLG., MDu. grabben, to which there is a frequent. formation, Du., LG. grabbeln scramble for a thing, whence prob. (dial.) grabble (XVI) grope, scramble, etc.