Grip, n.
Etymology: [AS. gripe. Cf. Grip, v. t., Gripe, v. t.]
1. An energetic or tenacious grasp; a holding fast; strength in grasping.
2. A peculiar mode of clasping the hand, by which members of a secret association recognize or greet, one another; as, a masonic grip.
3. That by which anything is grasped; a handle or gripe; as, the grip of a sword.
4. A device for grasping or holding fast to something.
4 other Webster entries under this spelling
Grip, n.
(Zoöl.)
The griffin. [Obs.]
Grip, n.
A small ditch or furrow. Ray.
Grip, v. t.
To trench; to drain.
Grip, v. t.
To give a grip to; to grasp; to gripe.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for grip; he lists it under catch.
Where he writes about it:
We clutch with a swift, tenacious movement of the fingers; we grasp with a firm but moderate closure of the whole hand; we grip or gripe with the strongest muscular closure of the whole hand possible to exert. — from catch