Grasping secret societies (5)
I believe the answer is:
tongs
I believe this is a double definition.
'grasping' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'secret societies' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for tongs that I've seen before include "Instrument for gripping and lifting" , "Item of tableware" , "Fire-irons" , "Holding device" , "Sugar-cube grabbers" .)