clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold (noun)

the act of grasping

"he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"

handle, grip, handgrip, hold (noun)

the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it

"he grabbed the hammer by the handle"; "it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip"

bag, traveling bag, travelling bag, grip, suitcase (noun)

a portable rectangular container for carrying clothes

"he carried his small bag onto the plane with him"

grip, traction, adhesive friction (noun)

the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road)

grip (noun)

worker who moves the camera around while a film or television show is being made

grip, grasp (noun)

an intellectual hold or understanding

"a good grip on French history"; "they kept a firm grip on the two top priorities"; "he was in the grip of a powerful emotion"; "a terrible power had her in its grasp"

bobby pin, hairgrip, grip (verb)

a flat wire hairpin whose prongs press tightly together; used to hold bobbed hair in place

"in Britain they call a bobby pin a grip"

grip (verb)

hold fast or firmly

"He gripped the steering wheel"

grapple, grip (verb)

to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match

"the two men grappled with each other for several minutes"

fascinate, transfix, grip, spellbind (verb)

to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe

"The snake charmer fascinates the cobra"

Grip

In the U.S. and Canada, grips are lighting and rigging technicians in the filmmaking and video production industries. They constitute their own department on a film set and are directed by a key grip. Grips have two main functions. The first is to work closely with the camera department to provide camera support, especially if the camera is mounted to a dolly, crane, or in an unusual position, such as the top of a ladder. Some grips may specialize in operating camera dollies or camera cranes. The second main function of grips is to work closely with the electrical department to create lighting set-ups necessary for a shot under the direction of the Director of Photography. In the UK, Australia and most parts of Europe, grips are not involved in lighting. In the "British System", adopted throughout Europe and the British Commonwealth, a grip is solely responsible for camera mounting and support. The term 'grip' dates back to the early era of the circus. From there it was used in vaudeville and then in today's film sound stages and sets. Some have suggested the name comes from the 1930s-40s slang term for a tool bag or "grip" that these technicians use to carry their tools to work. Another popular theory states that in the days of hand-cranked cameras, it would be necessary for a few burly men to hang on to the tripod legs to stop excessive movement of the camera. These men became known as the 'good grips'- as they were constantly being instructed to 'keep a good grip on the tripod'.