gropinglyadv.
/ˈɡrəʊpɪŋli/, U.S. /ˈɡroʊpɪŋli/ In a groping manner; as one feeling his way blindly or in the dark. literal and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > [adverb] > blindly or as in dark
gropingly1550
1550–67 W. Thomas Ital. Gram. & Dict. Tentone, gropyngly, as he that goeth in the derk.
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 41 To our sences, whereby we attaine gropingly, and creepingly to some apprehension of the forme.
1660 tr. M. Amyraut Treat. conc. Relig. i. i. 4 This Divinity whom men have sought after, as it were, gropingly in all Ages.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre III. xi. 268 He descended the one step, and advanced slowly and gropingly towards the grass plat.
1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled I. i. xvi. 295 The fly..felt it gropingly with its antennæ.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1550- windlass rope
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- windlass-end
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