grope

[grohp] /groʊp/
verb (used without object), groped, groping.
1.
to feel about with the hands; feel one's way:
I had to grope around in the darkness before I found the light switch.
2.
to search blindly or uncertainly:
He seemed to be groping for an answer to the question.
verb (used with object), groped, groping.
3.
to seek by or as if by groping:
to grope one's way up the dark stairs.
4.
to touch or handle (someone) for sexual pleasure.
noun
5.
an act or instance of groping.
6.
Slang. an act or instance of sexually fondling another person.
Origin
before 900; Middle English gropien, Old English grāpian, derivative of grāp grasp; akin to gripe, grasp
Synonyms
1. fumble, probe, fish.
Examples from the web for grope
  • Some bring poignant efforts to the work, but then grope for a handhold.
  • They may still grope each other--but they'll do it intelligently.
  • As rival leaders grope for a definition of the centre-left, however, a political gap is opening up to their left.
  • We definitely have to grope through darkness, as you said.
  • Human babies gum and grope for things to soothe the pain, handling all possibilities before putting them into their mouths.
  • It might not be long before airport security will let you keep your shoes on, even if they do grope you.
  • Human babies gum and grope for things munch on to soothe the pain.
  • And the only alternative is a grope down or a grope up.
  • But toward the sea he had to grope with mental inference.
  • He's an aging, obese, theatrical schoolteacher who offers pupils motorbike rides in order to grope them.
British Dictionary definitions for grope

grope

/ɡrəʊp/
verb
1.
(intransitive) usually foll by for. to feel or search about uncertainly (for something) with the hands
2.
(intransitive; usually foll by for or after) to search uncertainly or with difficulty (for a solution, answer, etc)
3.
(transitive) to find or make (one's way) by groping
4.
(transitive) (slang) to feel or fondle the body of (someone) for sexual gratification
noun
5.
the act of groping
Derived Forms
gropingly, adverb
Word Origin
Old English grāpian; related to Old High German greifōn, Norwegian greipa; compare gripe
Word Origin and History for grope
v.

Old English grapian "to feel about (as one blind or in darkness)," originally "lay hold of, seize, touch, attain," related to gripan "grasp at" (see gripe). Figurative sense is from early 14c. Indecent sense (marked as "obsolete" in OED) is from c.1200. Related: Groped; groping. The noun is Old English grap.

Slang definitions & phrases for grope

grope

verb

To touch, feel, caress, fondle, etc, with seeming or actual sexual intent (1250+)

Related Terms

group-grope