grope

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The definition of grope is to feel around with your hands, to search your mind for an answer you can't quite come up with or to fondle someone for sexual purposes.

(verb)

  1. When you feel around with your hands in the dark trying to find a light switch, this is an example of a time when you grope for the light switch.
  2. When you search your mind for a tactful way to decline an invitation, this is an example of a time when you grope for an excuse.
  3. When you fondle someones breast for sexual purposes, this is an example of a time when you grope.

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See grope in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb groped, groping

to feel or search about blindly, hesitantly, or uncertainly; feel one's way

Origin: ME gropien < OE grapian, to touch, seize, akin to Ger greifen, to grasp: for IE base see gripe

transitive verb

  1. to seek or find (one's way) by groping
  2. Slang to make sexual advances by touching (a person)

noun

an act or instance of groping

Related Forms:

See grope in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb groped groped, grop·ing, gropes
verb, intransitive
  1. To reach about uncertainly; feel one's way: groped for the telephone.
  2. To search blindly or uncertainly: grope for an answer.
verb, transitive
  1. To make (one's way) by reaching about uncertainly.
  2. Slang To handle or fondle for sexual pleasure.
noun
The act or an instance of groping.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English gropen

Origin: , from Old English grāpian

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Related Forms:

  • gropˈer noun
  • gropˈing·ly adverb

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© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.