grope

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: fumble

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. the act of groping; and instance of groping

Verb (3)

  1. feel about uncertainly or blindly“She groped for her glasses in the darkness of the bedroom”Synonyms: 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”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Grope \Grope\, v. t.

1.To search out by feeling in the dark; as, we groped our way at midnight. [1913 Webster]

2.To examine; to test; to sound. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Felix gropeth him, thinking to have a bribe.— Genevan Test. (Acts xxiv. ).[1913 Webster]
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.] [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

We grope for the wall like the blind.— Is. lix. 10.[1913 Webster]
To grope a little longer among the miseries and sensualities ot a worldly life.— Buckminster.[1913 Webster]
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