crawl

[[t]krɔl[/t]]

v. i.

1) to move in a prone position with the body close to the ground, as a worm or caterpillar, or on the hands and knees

2) to move or progress slowly or laboriously:

a line of cars crawling toward the beach[/ex]

3) to behave in a remorseful or cringing manner

4) to be, or feel as if, overrun with crawling things:

The hut crawled with insects[/ex]

5) bui (of paint) to raise or contract because of an imperfect bond with the underlying surface

6) cvb to visit or frequent one after the other:

a night of crawling the pubs[/ex]

7) the act of crawling; a slow, crawling motion

8) a slow rate of progress

9) spo a swimming stroke in a prone position, characterized by alternate overarm movements combined with the flutter kick

10) rtv sbz text that moves slowly across a television or movie screen, giving information

•

Etymology: 1150–1200; ME < ON krafla; cf. Dan kravle to crawl, creep crawl′ing•ly, adv.