grasping

/ˈgra-spiŋ/

adjective

  1. used, designed, or adapted to grasp

  2. desiring material possessions urgently and excessively and often to the point of ruthlessness

When the eggs hatch, the first-stage grub … is a minute but highly active larva with well-developed grasping legs.

covetous greedy acquisitive grasping avaricious mean having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions. covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions. greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

verb

  1. to make the motion of seizing : clutch

  2. to take or seize eagerly

  3. to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms

grasping for support

take seize grasp clutch snatch grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control. seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

phrasal verb

  1. to try to take or get (something) in an eager or desperate way

They were ready to grasp at any possible solution.