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 : 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 <groveling in self-pity>

— grov·el·er \-v^əl-ər\ noun

— grov·el·ing·ly \-v^əl-iŋ-lē\ adverb