grovel Definition
grovel (gräv′əl, gruv′-)
intransitive verb -·eled or -·elled, -·el·ing or -·el·ling
- to lie prone or crawl in a prostrate position, esp. abjectly
- to behave humbly or abjectly, as before authority; debase oneself in a servile fashion
- to wallow in what is low or contemptible
Etymology: back-form. (first found in Shakespeare) < grovelling, down on one's face (assumed to be prp.) < ME grufelinge < gruf, for o grufe, on the face (< ON ā grūfu) + -ling, -ling
grovel Related Forms
grovel Synonyms
grovel
v.
grovel Usage Examples
Object
- apology: I expected, at the very least, a groveling apology from Tony Blair.
- tribute: Amid all the groveling, hypocritical tributes paid to her this week, here are some facts to remember.
Preposition: at
end: The water disappears into a grovel at the downslope end, and possibly ( ?
Modifying Another Word
- not: Do not appeal, do not beg, do not grovel.
- n't: Mind you I didn't think Emma took it in she was n't groveling enough.
- enough: Mind you I didn't think Emma took it in she wasn't groveling enough.
- about: My last glimpses were that of a pitiful human being, groveling about on all fours, vomiting out large volumes of blood.
- so: He thought of spirits, but the sounds were so groveling and dog like that he was disgusted at the idea.
- sufficiently: If anyone failed to grovel sufficiently a servant was brought out and nailed to the wall.
Followed by an intransitive particle
around: Beats groveling around on frozen tarmac freezing half to death!
Preposition: before
priest: This in spite of the fact that 95 % of the population no longer grovel before priests.
Preposition: in
Browse dictionary entries near grovel
- ‹ grove
- ‹ grouty
- ‹ grout
- ‹ grouse
- ‹ groupuscule
- ‹ groupthink
- ‹ grouping
- ‹ groupie
- ‹ grouper
- ‹ Groupe Sp
- groveling ›
- grow ›
- grower ›
- growing ›
- growing pains ›
- growing point ›
- growl ›
- growler ›
- grown ›
- grown-up ›
Print this Page
Suggestion Box
Send to Friend
