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Synonyms
grov·el (grŏv́əl, grŭv́-)

[Back-formation from obsolete groveling, prone, face downward, from Middle English, (on) grufe, face downwards (from Old Norse ā grūfu) (from grūfa, to grovel), + -ling, adv. suff.; see –ling2.]

intransitive verb: -eled, also -elled, -el·ing, -el·ling, -els, -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)

derivatives

grov́el·er
noun