Grope

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Grope

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb and noun

Pronunciation

grohp  /ɡrəʊp/

Definition

As a verb: to feel about with the hands in darkness or uncertainty; to search blindly or uncertainly; to touch someone sexually without consent. As a noun: an act of groping.

Plain meaning

To grope means to feel around with your hands when you can't see clearly, or to search tentatively for something. The word has a very serious additional sense: to touch someone in a sexual way without their consent.

Register

The physical searching sense is neutral — groping in the dark, groping for the right word. The sexual sense is serious and refers to criminal behaviour. The word requires contextual awareness because of the weight of its sexual assault sense.