empoigner

to grab; to seize

verb ahm-pwan-YEH Rare

Also means

to grip forcefully

Usage Note

Empoigner implies grabbing with the full hand (poing = fist), suggesting force or urgency. The reflexive s'empoigner means to come to blows or grapple with each other. A related noun is empoignade (a scuffle or heated altercation), which appears in both physical and verbal confrontation contexts.

Examples

"Il empoigne le câble pour ne pas tomber."

Natural Translation

He grabs the cable so as not to fall.

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