To seize suddenly and roughly, often with the hand. To take or obtain something quickly, sometimes without permission.
From Middle Low German 'grabben' meaning 'to grab,' possibly related to 'graben' (to dig). The word appeared in English around the 16th century, maintaining its sense of sudden, forceful taking.
The urgency embedded in 'grab' makes it perfect for our fast-paced world - we grab lunch, grab attention, and grab opportunities, all suggesting the need to act quickly before the moment passes. The word's Germanic roots connect it to digging, suggesting that grabbing was originally about urgent excavation!
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