poigner

Poigner is a French verb meaning to grasp or seize with the hand, or to grip tightly around an object. It describes the action of taking hold of something—such as a lever, a door, a tool, or any item that requires a firm grip. The verb is transitive and typically used with a direct object, and it is conjugated as a regular -er verb.

In some contexts, poigner can function as a noun meaning a handle or grip; however, the standard word for a door or tool handle is poignee. The noun poigner is comparatively rare and may appear mainly in historical, technical, or dialect descriptions of hardware. In everyday language, terms like poignée, manche, or poignée de porte are preferred.

Etymology: The verb derives from poing, meaning fist, with the agentive suffix -ier; the sense reflects the action of grasping with a closed hand. The noun sense aligns with the idea of a grip or handle.

See also: Poing, Poignée, Poignée de porte, Manche.