groom
[noun]
Synonyms:
- stableman, hostler or ostler (archaic), stableboy
[verb]
Synonyms:
- smarten up, clean, preen, primp, spruce up, tidy
- rub down, brush, clean, curry, tend
- train, coach, drill, educate, make ready, nurture, prepare, prime, ready

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. bride‧groom /ˈbraɪdɡruːm, -ɡrʊm/ (also groom) noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: brydguma, from bryd ( ⇒ bride) + guma 'man'; influenced by ⇒ groom²(2)]
a man at the time he gets married, or just after he is married

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. groom¹ /ɡruːm, ɡrʊm/ verb

1. [transitive] to clean and brush an animal, especially a horse

2. [transitive] to prepare someone for an important job or position in society by training them over a long period
groom somebody for something
Tim was being groomed for a managerial position.
groom somebody to do something
Clare’s been groomed to take her father’s place when he retires.

3. [transitive] to take care of your own appearance by keeping your hair and clothes clean and tidy:
Her hair is always perfectly groomed. ⇒ well-groomed

4. [transitive] to develop a friendship with a child, with the intention of starting a sexual relationship. This is done by adults, and is illegal when the child is younger than 16.

5. [intransitive and transitive] if an animal grooms itself or another animal, it cleans its own fur and skin or that of the other animal

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. groom² noun [countable]
[Sense 1: Date: 1600-1700; Origin: ⇒ bridegroom]
[Sense 2: Date: 1100-1200; Origin: Probably from an unrecorded Old English groma 'boy, man, male servant']

1. a bridegroom

2. someone whose job is to feed, clean, and take care of horses

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲