gropingly, adv.
(ˈgrəʊpɪŋlɪ)
[f. groping ppl. a. + -ly2.]
In a groping manner; as one feeling his way blindly or in the dark. lit. and fig.
| 1550–67 Thomas Ital. Gram., Dict., Tentone, gropyngly, as he that goeth in the derk. 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 41 To our sences, whereby we attaine gropingly, and creepingly to some apprehension of the forme. 1660 tr. Amyraldus' Treat. conc. Relig. i. i. 4 This Divinity whom men have sought after, as it were, gropingly in all Ages. 1848 C. Brontë J. Eyre xxxvii, He descended the one step, and advanced slowly and gropingly toward the grass plat. 1885 E. F. Byrne Entangled I. i. xvi. 295 The fly..felt it gropingly with its antennæ. |