well-groomedadj.
/ˌwɛlˈɡruːmd/, U.S. /ˌwɛlˈɡrumd/ 1. Of an animal, esp. a horse: neatly turned out; having the coat, mane, tail, etc., well brushed and in good condition.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [adjective] > having particular type of coat > well-groomed or not groomed
uncurried1621
undressed1731
well-groomed1803
ungroomed1829
1803 Gen. Standing Orders 3rd Dragoon Guards 32 At all Drills it must be a general rule..first to dismount the men and inspect them, to see they are perfectly clean; horses well groomed, and appointments properly put on.
1840 N. P. Willis Romance of Trav. i. 17 The well-groomed night horses.
1889 Cultivator & Country Gentleman 12 Sept. 694/2 The beautiful glossy black and white of the well-groomed cattle.
1900 E. H. Cooper Monk Wins vi. 40 Young men in smart riding suits on well-groomed hacks.
1953 ‘P. Lanham’ & A. S. Mopeli-Paulus Blanket Boy's Moon i. ii. 17 The Basotho people take much pride in riding well-fed, well-groomed horses.
1983 P. S. Brooks Queen Eleanor vii. 85 Eight large wagons, each drawn by five well-groomed horses.
2004 N.Y. Sun (Nexis) 28 Dec. 3 The supple, well-groomed chestnut ran the tracks before it joined the force.
2. Tidily presented, in neat and attractive condition; esp. (of a person, esp. a man) of smart appearance; having neat or attractive hair, clothes, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > neat or trim
netc1330
pertc1330
cleanc1386
nicec1400
picked?c1425
dapperc1440
feata1471
gim1513
trig1513
well-trimmedc1513
trick1533
smirk1534
tricksy1552
neat1559
netty1573
deft1579
primpc1590
briska1593
smug1598
spruce1598
sprink1602
terse1602
compt1632
nitle1673
sprig1675
snod1691
tight1697
smugged1706
snug1714
pensy1718
fitty1746
jemmy1751
sprucy1774
smartc1778
natty1785
spry1806
perjink1808
soigné1821
nutty1823
toiletted1823
taut1829
spick and span1846
spicy1846
groomed1853
spiffy1853
well-groomed1865
bandboxy1870
perjinkity1880
spick-span1888
bandbox1916
tiddly1925
whip-smart1937
spit and polish1950
spit-and-polished1977
1865 Ladies' Compan. 28 150/1 Sleek, well-groomed, well-to-do-looking gentlemen.
1889 Daily News 9 Dec. 5/5 He had a well-groomed air, though he seemed carelessly dressed.
1904 R. Cullum Hound from North iv. 35 There were abundant signs of prosperity in the trim, well-groomed appearance of the place.
1983 Skiing Oct. 90/1 Wide, well-groomed, beginner-intermediate slopes attract hordes of Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin family groups.
1999 Cincinnati Oct. 253/1 Would love to meet a gentleman who is tall, good build.., good manners, well-groomed and a nice dresser.
Derivatives
ˌwell-ˈgroomedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > [noun] > state of being well-groomed
well-groomedness1902
1902 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Apr. 553/2 The first thing I observed, when he was shown in, was his well-groomedness.
1991 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 18 Aug. 2/2 Obviously one man's well-groomedness is another man's mess.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1803