Main Entry:

grov·el

Pronunciation:

\ˈgrä-v^əl, ˈgrə-\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

grov·eled or grov·elled; grov·el·ing or grov·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 : crawl2 a: to lie or creep with the body prostrate in token of subservience or abasement b: to abase oneself3: to give oneself over to what is base or unworthy : wallow <groveling in self-pity>

— grov·el·er \-v^əl-ər\ noun

— grov·el·ing·ly \-v^əl-iŋ-lē\ adverb