grooming

noun

the care of a body and its physical appearance, such as the personal hygiene routine of brushing one’s teeth or combing one’s hair, or the washing, brushing, etc., of a dog or horse: Grooming your dogs at home is less expensive than taking them to the groomer, if you can stand the wet dog smell and the hair that ends up everywhere.
the act or result of preparing a trail for a specific use, such as skiing, biking, or hiking: Donation boxes have been posted at each trail to cover their grooming and other maintenance costs.

the act or process of preparing someone to fill a position or role or to undertake an activity: The grooming of new personnel to handle additional responsibilities requires team leaders who will act as mentors and share constructive feedback.
an act or instance of engaging in behaviors or practices intended to gradually condition or emotionally manipulate a victim over time, as through friendship, gifts, flattery, etc., in order to entrap the person in a sexually abusive or predatory relationship: The ongoing targeting and grooming of minors online shows that our safety protocols for children on the internet are insufficient.

Origin of grooming

First recorded in 1810–20 for def. 1 and in 1985–90 for def. 4; groom + -ing¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

Why did it take 16 years for this grooming ring to be exposed?
The Psychology of Sex Slave Rings | Charlotte Lytton | August 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But she came away from the experience empowered by her newly politicized perception of grooming habits.
Meet the Professor of Hairy Studies | Lizzie Crocker | July 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
As The Guardian noted, Cameron Diaz was telling adorable anecdotes about forcibly grooming a hairy friend just under a year ago.
Madonna Took a Selfie of Her Hairy Armpit. So What? | Amy Zimmerman | March 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Modern angst aside, those with those with specialized grooming simply seem to have a better chance of shining and profiting.
Get Elected, Get Your Kids Rich: Washington Is Spoiled Rotten | Clare Malone | February 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And there are other opportunities in grooming that are interesting.
After 100 Years, the Shaving Industry Is Finally being Disrupted | Daniel Gross | January 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

She needed the grooming––this neglected, listless, slatternly old maid of a craft.
The Cruise of the Shining Light | Norman Duncan
A hundred men might be seen occupying themselves in grooming their horses.
The Tiger Hunter | Mayne Reid
There isn't a team in the country gets more grooming than those colts, and not a man has been known to overdrive them.
A California Girl | Edward Eldridge
She attended him during his flight, grooming his horse, and enduring great hardships through fatigue and want of food.
Female Warriors, Vol. I (of 2) | Ellen C. Clayton
The camp looked very strange without the horses, and it was odder still to have no watering or grooming to do.
In the Ranks of the C.I.V. | Erskine Childers

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