Word Study
grovel
CIDE DICTIONARY
grovel, v. i. [From OE. grovelinge, grufelinge, adv. , on the face, prone, which was misunderstood as a p. pr.; cf. OE. gruf, groff, in the same sense; of Scand. origin, cf. Icel. gr, in on the face, prone, gr to grovel.].
- To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move uneasily with the body prostrate on the earth; to lie flat on one's belly, expressive of abjectness; to crawl. [1913 Webster]"To creep and grovel on the ground." [1913 Webster]
- To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to be low, abject, or mean. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
grovel, v.intr. (grovelled, grovelling; US groveled, groveling)
1 behave obsequiously in seeking favour or forgiveness.
2 lie prone in abject humility.
1 behave obsequiously in seeking favour or forgiveness.
2 lie prone in abject humility.
Derivative
groveller n. grovelling adj. grovellingly adv.
Etymology
back-form. f. obs. grovelling (adv.) f. gruf face down f. on grufe f. ON {aacute} gr{uacute}fu, later taken as pres. part.
THESAURUS
grovel
apple-polish, be promiscuous, bend, bend the knee, bend the neck, bend to, bootlick, bow, bow and scrape, bow down, bow to, chase women, commit adultery, couch, cower, crawl, creep, cringe, cringe to, crouch, crouch before, curtsy, debauch, dissipate, do homage, do obeisance, fawn, flatter, flounder, fornicate, genuflect, get down, go on tiptoe, gumshoe, hug the earth, hunch, hunch down, inch, inch along, kneel, kneel to, knuckle to, kowtow, lay, lick the dust, lickspittle, lie, lie down, lie flat, lie limply, lie low, lie prone, lie prostrate, lie under, loll, lounge, nightwalk, pad, philander, prowl, pussyfoot, rake, recline, repose, roll, scrabble, scramble, scrouch down, sidle, sleep around, slink, snake, sneak, sprawl, squat, steal, steal along, stoop, swing, tippytoe, tiptoe, toadeat, toady, truckle, truckle to, tumble, underlie, wallow, wanton, welter, whore, womanize, worm, worm alongROGET THESAURUS
grovel
Lowness
VB be low, lie low, lie flat, underlie, crouch, slouch, wallow, grovel, lower.Servility
VB cringe, bow, stoop, kneel, bend the knee, fall on one's knees, prostrate oneself, worship, sneak, crawl, crouch, cower, sponge, truckle to, grovel, fawn, lick the feet of, kiss the hem of one's garment, kiss one's ass, suck up, pay court to, feed on, fatten on, dance attendance on, pin oneself upon, hang on the sleeve of, avaler les couleuvres, keep time to, fetch and carry, do the dirty work of, go with the stream, worship the rising sun, hold with the hare and run with the hounds.Slowness
VB move slowly, creep, crawl, lag, slug, drawl, linger, loiter, saunter, plod, trudge, stump along, lumber, trail, drag, dawdle, grovel, worm one's way, steal along, job on, rub on, bundle on, toddle, waddle, wabble, slug, traipse, slouch, shuffle, halt, hobble, limp, caludicate, shamble, flag, falter, trotter, stagger, mince, step short, march in slow time, march in funeral procession, take one's time, hang fire, retard, relax, slacken, check, moderate, rein in, curb, reef, strike sail, shorten sail, take in sail, put on the drag, apply the brake, clip the wings, reduce the speed, slacken speed, slacken one's pace, lose ground.Improbity
VB be dishonest, play false, break one's word, break one's faith, break one's promise, jilt, betray, forswear, shuffle, live by one's wits, sail near the wind, disgrace oneself, dishonor oneself, demean oneself, derogate, stoop, grovel, sneak, lose caste, sell oneself, go over to the enemy, seal one's infamy.For further exploring for "grovel" in Webster Dictionary Online
