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. |
grovel, groveling - Grovel is a back-formation from groveling—which first meant "face downward in a prone or prostrate position."
See also related terms for prone.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | groveling - totally submissive submissive - inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination; "submissive servants"; "a submissive reply"; "replacing troublemakers with more submissive people" |
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