groping

[ groh-ping ]
/ ˈgroʊ pɪŋ /

adjective

moving or going about clumsily or hesitantly; stumbling.
showing or reflecting a desire to understand, especially something that proves puzzling: a groping scrutiny; a groping expression.

Origin of groping

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at grope, -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM groping

grop·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for groping (2 of 2)

grope
[ grohp ]
/ groʊp /

verb (used without object), groped, grop·ing.

to feel about with the hands; feel one's way: I had to grope around in the darkness before I found the light switch.
to search blindly or uncertainly: He seemed to be groping for an answer to the question.

verb (used with object), groped, grop·ing.

to seek by or as if by groping: to grope one's way up the dark stairs.
to touch or handle (someone) for sexual pleasure.

noun

an act or instance of groping.
Slang. an act or instance of sexually fondling another person.

Origin of grope

before 900; Middle English gropien, Old English grāpian, derivative of grāp grasp; akin to gripe, grasp

Example sentences from the Web for groping

British Dictionary definitions for groping

grope
/ (ɡrəʊp) /

verb

(intr usually foll by for) to feel or search about uncertainly (for something) with the hands
(intr; usually foll by for or after) to search uncertainly or with difficulty (for a solution, answer, etc)
(tr) to find or make (one's way) by groping
(tr) slang to feel or fondle the body of (someone) for sexual gratification

noun

the act of groping

Derived forms of grope

gropingly, adverb

Word Origin for grope

Old English grāpian; related to Old High German greifōn, Norwegian greipa; compare gripe