Also means
to grasp, to clutch
Usage Note
Aggrappare is almost always used reflexively: aggrapparsi a qualcosa means 'to cling to something' — physically (aggrapparsi alla ringhiera = to grip the railing) or figuratively (aggrapparsi alla speranza = to cling to hope). The non-reflexive transitive form is rare. In compound tenses the reflexive takes essere.
Examples
"Si aggrappò alla ringhiera per non cadere."
Natural Translation
She grabbed the railing so as not to fall.
Literal Translation
Herself clung to-the railing to not fall.
Related Words
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