verb
groom
To prepare someone gradually for an intended role.
The director grooms her assistant to take over the department.
Etymology
A groom was an attendant, especially one caring for horses. The verb’s preparation sense extends careful tending to developing a person for a future position.
More examples
- The coach is grooming a young player to become team captain.
- They groomed their daughter to run the family business.
- The abuser groomed the teenager by gradually gaining her trust.
Forms
groom · grooms · groomed · grooming