A small anchor with multiple prongs or flukes, used for grappling, catching, or securing objects, especially in nautical contexts.
From Old French 'grapin' (hook), possibly related to 'graper' (to hook). The word entered English through maritime vocabulary in the medieval period.
Grapnels revolutionized naval combat—instead of trying to ram enemy ships head-on, sailors could hook and pull them close for boarding, completely changing medieval sea warfare tactics.
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