Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

abort: terminate a pregnancy by undergoing an abortion
abort: cease development, die, and be aborted
acquire: come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes)
act involuntarily: act in an uncontrolled manner
act: pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
act: behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
administer: give or apply (medications)
aestivate: sleep during summer
affect: act physically on; have an effect upon
aid: improve the condition of
ail: be ill or unwell
ail: cause bodily suffering to and make sick or indisposed
alleviate: provide physical relief, as from pain
alter: remove the ovaries of
anaesthetise: administer an anesthetic drug to
ancylose: undergo ankylosis
ancylose: produce ankylosis by surgery
anele: administer an oil or ointment to; often in a religious ceremony of blessing
animate: give new life or energy to
antic: act as or like a clown
antisepticize: disinfect with an antiseptic
apparel: provide with clothes or put clothes on
arise: get up and out of bed
arouse: stop sleeping
arouse: cause to become awake or conscious
arouse: cause to be alert and energetic
arrange: arrange attractively
aspirate: inhale (air, water, etc.)
assume: put clothing on one's body
atrophy: undergo atrophy
attack: begin to injure
attire: put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive
autoclave: subject to the action of an autoclave
bandage: dress by covering or binding
bang up: make pregnant
barber: perform the services of a barber: cut the hair and/or beard of
barf: eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
bat: wink briefly
bathe: cleanse the entire body
bawl: cry loudly
be active: be in a state of action
be well: be healthy; feel good
beam: smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression
bear: cause to be born
bear: be pregnant with
bear: have on one's person
beat: wear out completely
bed down: go to bed
bed: prepare for sleep
bedizen: dress up garishly and tastelessly
beget: make (offspring) by reproduction
belch: expel gas from the stomach
bellylaugh: laugh a deep, hearty laugh
bend over backwards: try very hard to please someone
bind: cause to be constipated
black out: lose consciousness due to a sudden trauma, for example
blanch: turn pale, as if in fear
bleed: lose blood from one's body
bleed: draw blood
blink: keep back by blinking
blink: briefly shut the eyes
blow: exhale hard
blow: free of obstruction by blowing air through
blub: cry or whine with snuffling
blush: turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
bluster: act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner
bob: cut hair in the style of a bob
bonnet: dress in a bonnet
boot: cause to load (an operating system) and start the initial processes
bray: laugh loudly and harshly
break: weaken or destroy in spirit or body
break: diminish or discontinue abruptly
break down: collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack
break up: laugh unrestrainedly
break wind: expel intestinal gases through the anus
break: fracture a bone of
breathe in: draw in (air)
breathe out: expel air
breathe: expel (gases or odors)
breathe: draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
breed: have young (animals) or reproduce (organisms)
bring around: return to consciousness
bring around: provide a cure for, make healthy again
bronze: get a tan, from wind or sun
brood: sit on (eggs)
bundle up: dress warmly
bundle: sleep fully clothed in the same bed with one's betrothed
bungle: spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly
burn: get a sunburn by overexposure to the sun
ca-ca: have a bowel movement
cachinnate: laugh loudly and in an unrestrained way
cackle: emit a loud, unpleasant kind of laughing
calk: injure with a calk
call: rouse somebody from sleep with a call
calm: cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to
calve: give birth to (a calf)
canker: infect with a canker
canker: become infected with a canker
caponise: convert a cock into a capon
care for: provide treatment for
carry to term: carry out a pregnancy
castrate: remove the testicles of a male animal
catch: contract
catch a wink: take a siesta
catch cold: come down with a cold
catch some Z's: be asleep
cathect: inject with libidinal energy
cause to sleep: make fall asleep
chlorinate: disinfect with chlorine
chloroform: anesthetize with chloroform
choke: breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion
choke: cause to retch or choke
choke: struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
choke: constrict (someone's) throat and keep from breathing
chortle: laugh quietly or with restraint
chuff: blow hard and loudly
clap: clap one's hands together
clean up: make oneself clean, presentable or neat
clean: clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing
clear the throat: clear mucus or food from one's throat
coat: cover or provide with a coat
cocainise: anesthetize with cocaine
comb: smoothen and neaten with or as with a comb
come down: get sick
come to: return to consciousness
comfort: lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate
conceive: become pregnant; undergo conception
concuss: injure the brain; sustain a concussion
condition: apply conditioner to in order to make smooth and shiny
conk out: use up all one's strength and energy and stop working
conk: pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
contract: be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness
convalesce: get over an illness or shock
convulse: be overcome with laughter
correct: treat a defect
corset: dress with a corset
costume: dress in a costume
cough: exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion
cough out: discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth
cover: clothe, as if for protection from the elements
cramp: suffer from sudden painful contraction of a muscle
cramp: affect with or as if with a cramp
crane: stretch (the neck) so as to see better
crash: sleep in a convenient place
crick: twist (a body part) into a strained position
cripple: deprive of the use of a limb, especially a leg
cross-dress: dress in the clothes of the other sex
cross-fertilise: cause to undergo cross-fertilization
cross-fertilise: undergo cross-fertilization; become fertile
cross-pollinate: fertilize by transfering pollen
cry: bring into a particular state by crying
cry: shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
cub: give birth to cubs
cup: treat by applying evacuated cups to the patient's skin
curry: give a neat appearance to
cut: grow through the gums
cut: have grow through the gums
cut: cut off the testicles (of male animals such as horses)
dandify: dress like a dandy
de-energise: deprive of energy
decompress: become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
defeminise: remove the ovaries of (female mammals such as cats)
degenerate: grow worse
depilate: remove body hair
desex: make infertile
desquamate: peel off in scales
detox: treat for alcohol or drug dependence
didder: move with or as if with a tremor
digitalize: administer digitalis such that the patient benefits maximally without getting adverse effects
dimple: produce dimples while smiling
disable: injure permanently
disagree with: not be very easily digestible
discase: get undressed
discharge: eliminate (a substance)
disinfect: destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing
distil: give off (a liquid)
do up: use special care in dressing, making-up, etc.
doctor: give medical treatment to
dope off: change from a waking to a sleeping state
dope: give a narcotic to
dose: administer a drug to
douche: direct a spray of water into a bodily cavity, for cleaning
doze: sleep lightly or for a short period of time
draw: cause to localize at one point
dress: apply a bandage or medication to
dress down: dress informally and casually
dress: dress in a certain manner
dress: put on clothes
dress: dress or groom with elaborate care
dribble: let saliva drivel from the mouth
drop: give birth; used for animals
drop like flies: rapidly collapse, die, or drop out in large numbers
drowse: be on the verge of sleeping
dung: defecate; used of animals
egest: eliminate from the body
ejaculate: eject semen
emanate: give out (breath or an odor)
empty: excrete or discharge from the body
enrobe: adorn with a robe
entrance: put into a trance
eruct: eject or send out in large quantities, also metaphorical
etherise: anesthetize with ether
etiolate: make pale or sickly
excruciate: subject to torture
exercise: do physical exercise
exercise: give a workout to
expect: look forward to the birth of a child
express joy: produce laughter
exsert: thrust or extend out
extend: extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
extravasate: geology: cause molten material, such as lava, to pour forth
exudate: release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities
exuviate: cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
face-lift: perform cosmetic surgery on someone's face
fade: become feeble
fag: exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
fall back: go back to bad behavior
fall over: fall forward and down
farrow: give birth to (piglets)
fatigue: lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
fawn: have fawns
feather: grow feathers
fecundate: introduce semen into (a female)
feel: be conscious of a physical, mental, or emotional state
feel like a million: be in excellent health and spirits
fester: ripen and generate pus
fibrillate: make fine, irregular, rapid twitching movements
fill out: become round, plump, or shapely
fleer: to smirk contemptuously
floss: use dental floss to clean
flow: undergo menstruation
fluff: ruffle (one's hair) by combing the ends towards the scalp, for a full effect
foal: give birth to a foal
foment: bathe with warm water or medicated lotions
force out: emit or cause to move with force of effort
fracture: become fractured
fracture: break (a bone)
frazzle: exhaust physically or emotionally
freeze: be cold
freeze: suddenly behave coldly and formally
freeze: anesthetize by cold
freshen: become or make oneself fresh again
freshen: make fresh again
frock: put a frock on
froth: exude or expel foam
frown: look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
fructify: bear fruit
fume: be wet with sweat or blood, as of one's face
gag: make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit
gain vigor: gain or regain energy
gain: increase (one's body weight)
galvanise: stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
gangrene: undergo necrosis
gargle: rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash
gasp: breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
gauffer: make wavy with a heated goffering iron
gel: apply a styling gel to
generalise: become systemic and spread throughout the body
get up: cause to rise
get up: develop
get: undergo (as of injuries and illnesses)
giggle: laugh nervously
give: proffer (a body part)
give: consent to engage in sexual intercourse with a man
glare: look at with a fixed gaze
gnash: grind together, of teeth
gown: dress in a gown
granulate: form granulating tissue
grimace: contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state
grin: to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
groom: care for one's external appearance
guffaw: laugh boisterously
gum: exude or form gum
habit: put a habit on
hack: cough spasmodically
hamstring: cripple by cutting the hamstring
harm: cause or do harm to
hat: put on or wear a hat
hatch: emerge from the eggs
have: suffer from; be ill with
have on: be dressed in
heal: get healthy again
hibernate: sleep during winter
hiccough: breathe spasmodically, and make a sound
highlight: apply a highlighter to one's cheeks or eyebrows in order to make them more prominent
hock: disable by cutting the hock
hold: keep from exhaling or expelling
howl: laugh unrestrainedly and heartily
hurt: give trouble or pain to
hurt: feel pain or be in pain
hyperextend: extend a joint beyond its normal range
hypertrophy: undergo hypertrophy
hyperventilate: breathe excessively hard and fast
hyperventilate: produce hyperventilation in
hypnotise: induce hypnosis in
immunise: perform vaccinations or produce immunity in by inoculation
impregnate: fertilize and cause to grow
indispose: cause to feel unwell
infect: communicate a disease to
infect: contaminate with a disease or microorganism
inflame: become inflamed; get sore
inflame: cause inflammation in
infuse: introduce into the body through a vein, for therapeutic purposes
inject: give an injection to
injure: cause injuries or bodily harm to
inoculate: impregnate with the virus or germ of a disease in order to render immune
inoculate: insert a bud for propagation
insufflate: blow or breathe hard on or into
insufflate: treat by blowing a powder or vapor into a bodily cavity
intoxicate: have an intoxicating effect on, of a drug
invigorate: impart vigor, strength, or vitality to
iodise: treat with iodine so as to prevent infection
irrigate: supply with a constant flow or sprinkling of some liquid, for the purpose of cooling, cleansing, or disinfecting
irritate: excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame
jacket: put a jacket on
jaundice: affect with, or as if with, jaundice
jerk: make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
jest: act in a funny or teasing way
keep down: manage not to throw up
keep up: prevent from going to bed at night
kitten: give birth to kittens
labor: undergo the efforts of childbirth
lamb: give birth to a lamb
lather: exude sweat or lather
lather: rub soap all over, usually with the purpose of cleaning
lave: cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
lave: wash one's face and hands
leaf: produce leaves, of plants
lie in: be in confinement for childbirth
ligate: bind with a bandage or ligature
limber: cause to become limber
limber up: make one's body limber or suppler by stretching, as if to prepare for strenuous physical activity
lipstick: apply lipstick to
litter: give birth to a litter of animals
look: have a certain outward or facial expression
loosen up: cause to feel relaxed
maim: injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
make: behave in a certain way
make: act in a certain way so as to acquire
make as if: begin or appear to begin an action
make up: apply make-up or cosmetics to one's face to appear prettier
make: eliminate urine
manicure: care for (one's hand) by cutting and shaping the nails, etc.
manicure: trim carefully and neatly
manipulate: treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposed
mar: destroy or injure severely
marcel: make a marcel in a woman's hair
martyr: torture and torment like a martyr
massage: give a massage to
mature: cause to ripen and discharge pus
medicate: impregnate with a medicinal substance
medicate: treat medicinally, treat with medicine
melt off: take off weight
menace: act in a threatening manner
metastasise: spread throughout the body
mewl: cry weakly or softly
miscarry: suffer a miscarriage
mop: make a sad face and thrust out one's lower lip
move involuntarily: move in an uncontrolled manner
multiply: have offspring or produce more individuals of a given animal or plant
narcotise: administer narcotics to
nick: mate successfully; of livestock
nod: be almost asleep
nod: let the head fall forward through drowsiness
nurse: try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
o.d.: dose too heavily
obstipate: constipate severely
operate: perform surgery on
optimise: act as an optimist and take a sunny view of the world
overclothe: dress too warmly
overfatigue: tire excessively
oversleep: sleep longer than intended
overstretch: strain abnormally
ovulate: produce and discharge eggs
pack: treat the body or any part of it by wrapping it, as with blankets or sheets, and applying compresses to it, or stuffing it to provide cover, containment, or therapy, or to absorb blood
pack on: gain (weight)
palpebrate: wink or blink, especially repeatedly
pedicure: care for one's feet by cutting and shaping the nails, etc.
peel off: take off, as with some difficulty
perfume: apply perfume to
perm: give a permanent wave to
perspire: excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
piffle: act in a trivial or ineffective way
plaster: dress by covering with a therapeutic substance
play: exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
play: engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
pod: produce pods, of plants
poison: administer poison to
pomade: apply pomade to (hair)
pompadour: style women's hair in a pompadour
powder: apply powder to
prank: dress up showily
presume: take liberties or act with too much confidence
prim: dress primly
prink: dress very carefully and in a finicky manner
propagate: multiply sexually or asexually
propagate: cause to propagate, as by grafting or layering
ptyalise: expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
pullulate: breed freely and abundantly
pup: give birth to (a puppy)
pupate: develop into a pupa
purge: excrete or evacuate (someone's bowels or body)
quack: act as a medical quack or a charlatan
quicken: show signs of life
rack: torture on the rack
raise: cause to become alive again
razor: shave with a razor
reawaken: awaken once again
recuperate: restore to good health or strength
refracture: break (a bone) that was previously broken but mended in an abnormal way
regenerate: undergo regeneration
regenerate: restore strength
regrow: grow anew or continue growth after an injury or interruption
rejuvenate: become young again
release: generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
relieve: provide relief for
respire: undergo the biomedical and metabolic processes of respiration by taking up oxygen and producing carbon monoxide
respire: breathe easily again, as after exertion or anxiety
rest: be at rest
resurrect: return from the dead
resuscitate: cause to regain consciousness
rick: twist suddenly so as to sprain
robe: clothe formally; especially in ecclesiastical robes
roll: execute a roll, in tumbling
romanticize: act in a romantic way
rot: become physically weaker
rouge: redden by applying rouge to
run down: injure or kill by knocking (someone or something) down and passing over the body, as with a vehicle
salivate: produce saliva
salve: apply a salve to, usually for the purpose of healing
saw logs: breathe noisily during one's sleep
scab: form a scab
scarf: wrap in or adorn with a scarf
scowl: frown with displeasure
screw up: twist into a strained configuration
scrub: wash thoroughly
sentimentalise: act in a sentimental way or indulge in sentimental thoughts or expression
shampoo: use shampoo on (hair)
shave: remove body hair with a razor
shirt: put a shirt on
shiver: shake, as from cold
shock: subject to electrical shocks
shock: inflict a trauma upon
shoe: furnish with shoes
shower: take a shower; wash one's body in the shower
shrug: raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation
sicken: make sick or ill
sigh: heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
simper: smile affectedly or derisively
sit back: settle into a comfortable sitting position
sit up: not go to bed
skin over: grow new skin over an injury
sleek down: give a smooth and glossy appearance
sleep in: sleep later than usual or customary
slick up: dress and groom with particular care, as for a special occasion
slip off: take off with ease or speed
slip on: put on with ease or speed
smile: change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
smut: affect with smut or mildew, as of a crop such as corn
snap back: recover quickly
sneer: smile contemptuously
sneer: express through a scornful smile
sneeze: exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose
snicker: laugh quietly
sniff: inhale audibly through the nose
snivel: snuff up mucus through the nose
snort: make a snorting sound by exhaling hard
snuff: inhale (something) through the nose
sob: weep convulsively
soothe: cause to feel better
soup: dope (a racehorse)
spat: spawn
spawn: lay spawn
spit out: spit up in an explosive manner
splint: support with a splint
sponge down: wash with a sponge
spread-eagle: stretch out completely
spring: develop suddenly
sprout: put forth and grow sprouts or shoots
squinch: cross one's eyes as if in strabismus
squint: partly close one's eyes, as when hit by direct blinding light
stale: urinate, of cattle and horses
stare: fixate one's eyes
sterilise: make free from bacteria
stooge: act as a stooge, in a compliant or subordinate manner
stool: grow shoots in the form of stools or tillers
strain: cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
strap: secure (a sprained joint) with a strap
stratify: render fertile and preserve by placing between layers of earth or sand
stream: exude profusely
strengthen: give a healthy elasticity to
stretch: extend one's body or limbs
stub: strike (one's toe) accidentally against an object
subluxate: sprain or dislocate slightly
suction: empty or clean (a body cavity) by the force of suction
suffer: feel unwell or uncomfortable
suffocate: feel uncomfortable for lack of fresh air
sun: expose one's body to the sun
suntan: get a tan from being exposed to the sun
superfetate: conceive when a fetus is already present in the uterus
superinfect: infect (an infected cell) further or infect a cell already containing similar organisms
sweat off: lose weight by sweating
swelter: be uncomfortably hot
swelter: suffer from intense heat
take off: remove clothes
talc: apply talcum powder to (one's body)
tart up: dress up in a cheap and provocative way
tear: fill with tears or shed tears
teethe: grow teeth; cut the baby teeth
tense: become tense, nervous, or uneasy
tonsure: shave the head of a newly inducted monk
train: exercise in order to prepare for an event or competition
trample: injure by trampling or as if by trampling
transfuse: give a transfusion (e.g., of blood) to
transpire: give off (water) through the skin
trephine: operate on with a trephine
try: put on a garment in order to see whether it fits and looks nice
tumble: do gymnastics, roll and turn skillfully
twin: give birth to twins
ulcerate: affect with an ulcer
unbend: release from mental strain, tension, or formality
underdress: dress without sufficient warmth
urinate: pass after the manner of urine
vasectomise: remove the vas deferens
vege out: engage in passive relaxation
vegetate: propagate asexually
venesect: practice venesection
vest: clothe oneself in ecclesiastical garments
vesture: provide or cover with a cloak
vet: provide veterinary care for
vet: provide (a person) with medical care
vulgarise: act in a vulgar manner
wake: be awake, be alert, be there
wan: become pale and sickly
wanton: behave extremely cruelly and brutally
warm up: cause to do preliminary exercises so as to stretch the muscles
wash: to cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking
water: secrete or form water, as tears or saliva
wave: set waves in
wear: have or show an appearance of
wet: make one's bed or clothes wet by urinating
wheeze: breathe with difficulty
wince: make a face indicating disgust or dislike
wink: signal by winking
yawn: utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired
zonk out: fall asleep fast, as when one is extremely tired