Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Grovel
Grov′el
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Groveled
or Grovelled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Groveling
or Grovelling
.] [From OE. , on the face, prone, which was misunderstood as a p. pr.; cf. OE.
grovelinge
, grufelinge
, adv.
gruf
, groff
, in the same sense; of Scand. origin, cf. Icel. grūfa
, in ā grūfu
on the face, prone, grūfa
to grovel.] 1.
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.
To creep and
grovel
on the ground. Dryden.
2.
To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to be low, abject, or mean.
Webster 1828 Edition
Grovel
GROV'EL
,Verb.
I.
1.
To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move with the body prostrate on the earth; to act in a prostrate posture. Gaze on and grovel on thy face.
To creep and grovel on the ground.
2.
To be low or mean; a groveling sense; groveling thoughts.