Word of the Day: Gripe
gripe
gripe / grīp
noun
1. (informal) a complaint, particularly one that is constant or nagging
That’s probably one of my biggest gripes with the Internet – that it settles for mediocrity and disinformation, which puts all information on the same level.
Harlan Ellison, 1934 –
2. (usually gripes) a sharp, painful spasm in the intestines
In the jaundice the choler is wanting, and the icterical have a great sourness, and gripes with windiness.
John Floyer, 1649 – 1734
3. a firm hold
He rushed towards her and seized her arm with a gripe that left the print of his fingers upon it.
From “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1804 – 1864
4. a handle
Make sure you use it correctly by putting your hand up from the bottom of the strap and then grab the gripe of the pole.
“XWalk: Nordic Walk Tracker”, ‘Arriving in High Heels’, www.arrivinginhighheels.com/xwalk, accessed January 24, 2023
5. hold; control
He had been driven hither by the impulse of that Remorse which dogged him everywhere, and whose own sister and closely linked companion was that Cowardice which invariably drew him back, with her tremulous gripe, just when the other impulse had hurried him to the verge of a disclosure.
From “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1804 – 1864
verb
1. to grumble or complain, particularly in a persistent or nagging manner
The more you gripe about your problems, the more problems you have to gripe about!
Zig Ziglar, 1926 – 2012
2. to have or cause sharp pains in the intestines
Dr. Caldwell’s Syrup Pepsin not only causes a gentle, easy bowel movement but, best of all, it never gripes, sickens or upsets the most delicate girl or woman.
“Women Need a Mild Laxative – Not a “Physic””, Advertisement in the ‘Indianapolis Times’, Volume 38, Number 158, October 8, 1926
3. to irritate; to bother
It gripes me to lose at home,” said [Jim] Phelan, who is 778-421 in 44 years at the Mount.
Mill Free, “St. Francis hands Mount 88-80 defeat Red Flash’s big 2nd half offsets Hayden’s early run”, ‘The Baltimore Sun’, January 18, 1998, www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-01-18-1998018211-story.html
4. to grasp and hold firmly; to grab
Who gripes too hard the dry and slipp’ry sand,
Holds none at all, or little, in his hand.
From ““Hesperides; or, Works both human and divine” by Robert Herrick, 1591 – 1674
5. to oppress; to cause to suffer
Pinching poverty griped him with a tight clutch, and grinned from every angle.
From “Commissioner Hume: A Story of New York Schools” by Charles William Bardeen, 1847 – 1924