grasping

(noun) understanding with difficulty. Example: "The lecture was beyond his most strenuous graspings."

(noun) the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles). Synonyms: taking hold, seizing, prehension.

(verb) hold firmly. Synonyms: grasp, hold on.

(verb) get the meaning of something. Synonyms: grok, get the picture, comprehend, savvy, dig, grasp, compass, apprehend. Example: "Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?."

(adj) immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth. Synonyms: avaricious, covetous, grabby, greedy, prehensile. Examples: "They are avaricious and will do anything for money." "Casting covetous eyes on his neighbor's fields." "A grasping old miser." "Grasping commercialism." "Greedy for money and power." "Grew richer and greedier." "Prehensile employers stingy with raises for their employees."