grapple

noun

A close hand-to-hand struggle; the act of grappling.

1. To seize something and hold it firmly.
2. To wrestle or tussle.
3. (with with) To ponder and intensely evaluate a problem.

   to grapple with one's conscience

noun

A tool with claws or hooks which is used to catch or hold something.

1. To fasten, as with a grapple; (by extension) to fix; to join indissolubly.
2. To climb (whether by means of a grapple and rope, or by hand, etc).
3. To use a grapple (for example to attempt to find, hook, and raise a net or cable).
4. To hook and raise with a grapple.