Definition: gripe

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

gripe
     n : informal terms for objecting; "I have a gripe about the
         service here" [syn: kick, beef, bitch, squawk]
     v : complain; "What was he hollering about?" [syn: grouse, beef,
          squawk, bellyache, holler]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Grype \Grype\, n. [Gr. gry`f, grypo`s, griffin. See Griffin.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   A vulture; the griffin. [Written also gripe.] [Obs.]
Griffin \Grif"fin\, Griffon \Grif"fon\, n. [OE. griffin,
   griffon, griffoun, F. griffon, fr. L. gryphus, equiv to
   gryps, Gr. ?; -- so called because of the hooked beak, and
   akin to grypo`s curved, hook-nosed.]
   1. (Myth.) A fabulous monster, half lion and half eagle. It
      is often represented in Grecian and Roman works of art.

   2. (Her.) A representation of this creature as an heraldic
      charge.

   3. (Zo["o]l.) A species of large vulture (Gyps fulvus)
      found in the mountainous parts of Southern Europe, North
      Africa, and Asia Minor; -- called also gripe, and
      grype. It is supposed to be the ``eagle'' of the Bible.
      The bearded griffin is the lammergeir. [Written also
      gryphon.]

   4. An English early apple.
Gripe \Gripe\, n.
   1. Grasp; seizure; fast hold; clutch.

            A barren scepter in my gripe.         --Shak.

   2. That on which the grasp is put; a handle; a grip; as, the
      gripe of a sword.

   3. (Mech.) A device for grasping or holding anything; a brake
      to stop a wheel.

   4. Oppression; cruel exaction; affiction; pinching distress;
      as, the gripe of poverty.

   5. Pinching and spasmodic pain in the intestines; -- chiefly
      used in the plural.

   6. (Naut.)
      (a) The piece of timber which terminates the keel at the
          fore end; the forefoot.
      (b) The compass or sharpness of a ship's stern under the
          water, having a tendency to make her keep a good wind.
      (c) pl. An assemblage of ropes, dead-eyes, and hocks,
          fastened to ringbolts in the deck, to secure the boats
          when hoisted; also, broad bands passed around a boat
          to secure it at the davits and prevent swinging.

   Gripe penny, a miser; a niggard
Gripe \Gripe\, n. [See Grype.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A vulture; the griffin. [Obs.]

         Like a white hind under the gripe's sharp claws.
                                                  --Shak.

   Gripe's egg, an alchemist's vessel. [Obs.] --E. Jonson.
Gripe \Gripe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Griped; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Griping.] [AS. gripan; akin to D. grijpen, G. greifen, OHG.
   gr?fan, Icel. gripa, Sw. gripe, Dan. gribe, Goth. greipan;
   cf. Lith. graibyti, Russ. grabite to plunder, Skr. grah,
   grabh, to seize. Cf. Grip, v. t., Grope.]
   1. To catch with the hand; to clasp closely with the fingers;
      to clutch.

   2. To seize and hold fast; to embrace closely.

            Wouldst thou gripe both gain and pleasure ?
                                                  --Robynson
                                                  (More's
                                                  Utopia).

   3. To pinch; to distress. Specifically, to cause pinching and
      spasmodic pain to the bowels of, as by the effects of
      certain purgative or indigestible substances.

            How inly sorrow gripes his soul.      --Shak.
Gripe \Gripe\, v. i.
   1. To clutch, hold, or pinch a thing, esp. money, with a
      gripe or as with a gripe.

   2. To suffer griping pains. --Jocke.

   3. (Naut.) To tend to come up into the wind, as a ship which,
      when sailing closehauled, requires constant labor at the
      helm. --R. H. Dana, Jr.