(~s, groping, ~d)
1.
If you ~ for something that you cannot see, you try to find it by moving your hands around in order to feel it.
With his left hand he ~d for the knob, turned it, and pulled the door open...
Bunbury ~d in his breast pocket for his wallet.
= fumble
VERB: V for n, V adv/prep
2.
If you ~ your way to a place, you move there, holding your hands in front of you and feeling the way because you cannot see anything.
I didn’t turn on the light, but ~d my way across the room.
= feel
VERB: V way prep/adv
3.
If you ~ for something, for example the solution to a problem, you try to think of it, when you have no real idea what it could be.
She ~d for a simple word to express a simple idea.
VERB: V for n, also V towards n
groping (gropings)
They continue their groping towards a constitutional settlement.
N-VAR
4.
If one person ~s another, they touch or take hold of them in a rough, sexual way. (INFORMAL)
He would try to ~ her breasts and put his hand up her skirt.
VERB: V n disapproval
•
Grope is also a noun.
She even boasted of having a ~ in a cupboard with a 13-year-old.
N-COUNT