grov·el (gr v  l, gr v-)intr.v. grov·eled also grov·elled, grov·el·ing also grov·el·ling, grov·els also grov·els 1. To behave in a servile or demeaning manner; cringe. 2. To lie or creep in a prostrate position, as in subservience or humility. 3. To give oneself over to base pleasures: "Have we not groveled here long enough, eating and drinking like mere brutes?" (Walt Whitman). [Back-formation from obsolete groveling, prone, face downward, from Middle English : (on) grufe, face downwards (from Old Norse  gr fu, from grfa, to grovel) + -ling, adv. suff.; see -ling2.]grov el·er n. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  groveler - someone who humbles himself as a sign of respect; who behaves as if he had no self-respectass-kisser, crawler, sycophant, toady, lackey - a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage |
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