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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.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of grooming¹

First recorded in 1810–20 grooming fordef 1 and in 1985–90 grooming fordef 4; groom ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The review found a detective constable leading the Merseyside grooming investigation had held on to the file even when they were transferred out of the PVP team to help another unit with its workload.

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Coercive control, Ms Studd said, was "a form of grooming and manipulation where the victim becomes less and less able to respond in what might be perceived as a normal way".

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He said the force welcomed the sentence and encouraged "anyone who may think they are a victim of grooming or exploitation to come forward".

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An Orange County high school wrestling coach has been arrested on suspicion of grooming young female athletes and coercing them into sex, authorities said.

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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has insisted local inquiries into grooming gangs in five towns are still going ahead despite claims the plans have been watered down.

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Related Words

groom groom's cake

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