Noun

1. The act of grasping
2. A tense critical situation
3. A number of birds hatched at the same time
4. A collection of things or persons to be handled together
5. A woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
6. A pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
7. A coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism

Verb

1. Take hold of; grab
2. Hold firmly, usually with one's hands
3. Affect