GROVEL


Meaning of GROVEL in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈgrä-v ə l, ˈgrə- ]

intransitive verb

( -eled or -elled ; -el·ing or -el·ling )

Etymology: back-formation from groveling prone, from groveling, adverb, from Middle English, from gruf, adverb, on the face (from Old Norse ā grūfu ) + -ling

Date: 1552

1. : to creep with the face to the ground : crawl

2.

a. : to lie or creep with the body prostrate in token of subservience or abasement

b. : to abase oneself

3. : to give oneself over to what is base or unworthy : wallow

grovel ing in self-pity

• grov·el·er -v ə l-ər noun

• grov·el·ing·ly -v ə l-iŋ-lē adverb

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.