 2 definitions found
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
reaching
noun
1: the act of physically reaching or thrusting out [syn: {reach},
{stretch}]
2: accomplishment of an objective [syn: {arrival}]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Reach \Reach\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Reached} (r[=e]cht)
({Raught}, the old preterit, is obsolete); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Reaching}.] [OE. rechen, AS. r[=ae]can, r[=ae]cean, to
extend, stretch out; akin to D. reiken, G. reichen, and
possibly to AS. r[=i]ce powerful, rich, E. rich. [root]115.]
1. To extend; to stretch; to thrust out; to put forth, as a
limb, a member, something held, or the like.
Her tresses yellow, and long straughten,
Unto her heeles down they raughten. --Rom. of R.
Reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side.
--John xx. 27.
Fruit trees, over woody, reached too far
Their pampered boughs. --Milton.
2. Hence, to deliver by stretching out a member, especially
the hand; to give with the hand; to pass to another; to
hand over; as, to reach one a book.
He reached me a full cup. --2 Esd. xiv.
39.
3. To attain or obtain by stretching forth the hand; to
extend some part of the body, or something held by one, so
as to touch, strike, grasp, or the like; as, to reach an
object with the hand, or with a spear.
O patron power, . . . thy present aid afford,
Than I may reach the beast. --Dryden.
4. To strike, hit, or touch with a missile; as, to reach an
object with an arrow, a bullet, or a shell.
5. Hence, to extend an action, effort, or influence to; to
penetrate to; to pierce, or cut, as far as.
If these examples of grown men reach not the case of
children, let them examine. --Locke.
6. To extend to; to stretch out as far as; to touch by virtue
of extent; as, his land reaches the river.
Thy desire . . . leads to no excess
That reaches blame. --Milton.
7. To arrive at; to come to; to get as far as.
Before this letter reaches your hands. --Pope.
8. To arrive at by effort of any kind; to attain to; to gain;
to be advanced to.
The best account of the appearances of nature which
human penetration can reach, comes short of its
reality. --Cheyne.
9. To understand; to comprehend. [Obs.]
Do what, sir? I reach you not. --Beau. & Fl.
10. To overreach; to deceive. [Obs.] --South.
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