n. [ AS. graf, fr. grafan to dig. The original sense seems to have been a lane cut through trees. See Grave, v., and cf. Groove. ] A smaller group of trees than a forest, and without underwood, planted, or growing naturally as if arranged by art; a wood of small extent. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Hebrew word Asherah, rendered grove in the Authorized Version of the Bible, is left untranslated in the Revised Version. Almost all modern interpreters agree that by Asherah an idol or image of some kind is intended. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Groveled r Grovelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Groveling or Grovelling. ] [ From OE. grovelinge, grufelinge, adv., on the face, prone, which was misunderstood as a p. pr.; cf. OE. gruf, groff, in the same sense; of Scand. origin, cf. Icel. grūfa, in ā grūfu on the face, prone, grūfa to grovel. ] 1. To creep on the earth, or with the face to the ground; to lie prone, or move uneasily with the body prostrate on the earth; to lie flat on one's belly, expressive of abjectness; to crawl. [ 1913 Webster ]

To creep and grovel on the ground. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To tend toward, or delight in, what is sensual or base; to be low, abject, or mean. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who grovels; an abject wretch. [ Written also groveller. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

, a. Lying prone; low; debased; submissive in a self-abasing manner. “A groveling creature.” Cowper.
Syn. -- cringing, wormlike, wormy. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]