grooming

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

grooming
    n 1: activity leading to skilled behavior [syn: {training},
         {preparation}, {grooming}]
    2: the activity of getting dressed; putting on clothes [syn:
       {dressing}, {grooming}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Groom \Groom\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Groomed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Grooming}.]
   To tend or care for, or to curry or clean, as a, horse.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

grooming \grooming\ n.
   1. Preparing a person for a position requiring skilled
      behavior, especially by providing opposrtunity for
      practise and guidance in making the right decisions; as,
      to provide grooming for one's successor as president.
      [WordNet sense 1]

   Syn: training, preparation.
        [WordNet 1.5]

   2. The activity of getting dressed, washed and generally of
      neat appearance. [WordNet sense 2]

   Syn: dressing.
        [WordNet 1.5]

   3. The activity of cleaning oneself or others by removing
      lice, ticks, dirt, etc. from the fur; -- of animals.
      [PJC]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

32 Moby Thesaurus words for "grooming":
      apprenticeship, basic training, breaking, breeding, conditioning,
      cultivation, development, discipline, drill, drilling, exercise,
      fetching-up, fostering, housebreaking, improvement,
      in-service training, manual training, military training, nurture,
      nurturing, on-the-job training, practice, preparation, raising,
      readying, rearing, rehearsal, sloyd, training, upbringing,
      vocational education, vocational training