Meaning of grovel in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈɡrɑvəl/

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   UK accent

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1. Verb

   grovel

   Etymology

   Middle English: back-formation from the obsolete adverb grovelling, from obsolete groof, grufe‘the face or front’ (in the phrase on grufe, from Old Norse á grúfu‘face downwards’) + the suffix -ling

   Definitions

   1. show submission or fear

   Derived terms

   • apple polisher
   • ass-kisser
   • bootlicker
   • coward
   • crawler
   • fawner
   • groveler
   • groveller
   • lackey
   • sycophant
   • toady
   • truckler

Famous quotes

• « Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. »
  Tecumseh

Browse dictionary

• grove
• grout
• grouse whortleberry
• grouseberry
• grovel
• groveler
• groveling
• groveller
• grovelling