dictionary · eo1.org

grabble

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: gabble, rabble, brabble, crabble, drabble, gribble, grubble, grable

Antonyms: gabble, rabble, brabble, crabble, drabble, gribble, grubble, grable

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

  1. {{lb|en|intransitive}} To [[search]] with one's hands and fingers; to [[attempt]] to [[grasp]] something.
  2. {{lb|en|intransitive|obsolete}} To search in a similar way using an [[implement#Etymology_1|implement]].
  3. {{lb|en|transitive}} To [[touch]] (someone) with one's hands or fingers, sometimes in a [[sexual]] way.
  4. {{lb|en|transitive}} To pick (something or someone) ''up'' [[hastily]], [[roughly]] or [[clumsily]].<ref>{{w|Francis Grose}}, ''A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue,'' London: Hooper and Wigstead, 1796, 3rd edition: “T<small>O</small> G<small>RABBLE</small>. To seize.”<sup>[https://archive.org/details/cu31924073798740]</sup></ref>
  5. {{lb|en|transitive}} To attempt to grab; to [[grasp]] at (something).
  6. {{lb|en|transitive}} To [[pull]], [[lift]] or [[dig]] (something) (''out'' of the ground) by searching with one's hands and fingers.<ref>B. W. Green, ''Virginia Folk-Speech,'' Richmond, 1899, p.{{nbsp}}166: “Grabble, ''v.'' To dig out of the ground with the hands.”<sup>[https://archive.org/details/wordbookofvirgin00gree]</sup></ref>
  7. {{lb|en|transitive|obsolete}} To lift (something) ''out'' in a similar way using an [[implement#Etymology_1|implement]].
  8. {{lb|en|ambitransitive|now|Southeastern US}} To catch fish by reaching into the water with one's hand.
  9. {{lb|en|ambitransitive|obsolete}} To [[fish]] on the [[grabble#Noun|grabble]].
  10. {{lb|en|ambitransitive}} To [[utter]] [[inarticulate]] sounds, often quickly and loudly; to [[say]] (something) quickly, idly or foolishly.
  11. {{lb|en|intransitive|obsolete}} To lie [[prostrate]]; to [[sprawl]] on the [[ground]].

Noun

  1. {{lb|en|obsolete}} A method of [[fishing]] using a [[fishing line|line]] with several [[hook]]s [[fasten]]ed to it along with a [[lead]] weight so that the hooks sit on the bottom.<ref>T.{{nbsp}}F. Salter, ''The Angler’s Guide,'' London: Sherwood, 1825, pp. 367-368.<sup>[https://archive.org/details/anglersguidebein00salt]</sup></ref>

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.