Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Grope \Grope\, v. t.
1. To search out by feeling in the dark; as, we groped our
way at midnight.
2. To examine; to test; to sound. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Felix gropeth him, thinking to have a bribe.
--Genevan
Test. (Acts
xxiv. ).
Grope \Grope\ (gr[=o]p), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Groped}
(gr[=o]pt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Groping}.] [OE. gropen, gropien,
grapien, AS. gr[=a]pian to touch, grope, fr. gr[imac]pan to
gripe. See {Gripe}.]
1. To feel with or use the hands; to handle. [Obs.]
2. To search or attempt to find something in the dark, or, as
a blind person, by feeling; to move about hesitatingly, as
in darkness or obscurity; to feel one's way, as with the
hands, when one can not see.
We grope for the wall like the blind. --Is. lix. 10.
To grope a little longer among the miseries and
sensualities ot a worldly life. --Buckminster.
Source : WordNet®
grope
n : the act of groping; and instance of groping
v 1: feel about uncertainly or blindly; "She groped for her
glasses in the darkness of the bedroom" [syn: {fumble}]
2: search blindly or uncertainly; "His mind groped to make the
connection"
3: fondle for sexual pleasure; "He made some sexual advances at
the woman in his office and groped her repeatedly"