prĕhenso, and more freq. prenso, āvi, ātum, 1, v. freq. a. [prehendo], to grasp, seize, catch, lay hold of (not freq. till after the Aug. period).
I In gen.: prensare manu bracchia, Hor. S. 1, 9, 64: fastigia dextris, Verg. A. 2, 444: tenaci forcipe ferrum, id. ib. 12, 404: lubrica prensantes effugit umbra manus, Ov. F. 5, 476: prehensare hostium tela, Tac. H. 3, 28.—
II In partic., to take hold of , detain a person, in order to talk with him, thank him, entreat him, etc.: arma, genua, vestigia prensando, flexere militum animos, Tac. H. 1, 66: commanipularium pectora, id. ib. 4, 46: itaque prenso amicos, supplico, ambio domos, Plin. Ep. 2, 9: prensatas exeuntium manus, Liv. 4, 60.—
B Transf., to sue or solicit for an office: circumire et prensare patres, Liv. 1, 47, 7.—So absol. : prensat unus P. Galba, solicits for the consulship , Cic. Att. 1, 1, 1: nos initium prensandi facere cogitaramus, id. ib.