To reach after

Reach Reach, v. i. 1. To stretch out the hand. [1913 Webster]

Goddess humane, reach, then, and freely taste! --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. To strain after something; to make efforts. [1913 Webster]

Reaching above our nature does no good. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. To extend in dimension, time, amount, action, influence, etc., so as to touch, attain to, or be equal to, something. [1913 Webster]

And behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. --Gen. xxviii. 12. [1913 Webster]

The new world reaches quite across the torrid zone. --Boyle. [1913 Webster]

4. (Naut.) To sail on the wind, as from one point of tacking to another, or with the wind nearly abeam. [1913 Webster]

{To reach after} or {To reach for} or {To reach at}, to make efforts to attain to or obtain. [1913 Webster]

He would be in the posture of the mind reaching after a positive idea of infinity. --Locke. [1913 Webster]