GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Prune , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pruned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pruning.] [OE. proine, probably fr. F. provigner to lay down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See Provine.]
   To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune an essay.
   Thackeray.
   
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   Taking into consideration how they [laws] are to be pruned and reformed.
   Bacon.
   
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   Our delightful task
   To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers.
   Milton.
   
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   To cut off or cut out, as useless parts.
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   Horace will our superfluous branches prune.
   Waller.
   
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   To preen; to prepare; to dress.
   Spenser.
   
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   His royal bird
   Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak.
   Shak.
   
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2.       
   Prune, v. i. To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt.
   Dryden.
   
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3.       
   Prune, n. [F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See Plum.] A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes; California prunes.
   1913 Webster
   German prune (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving, either dried or in sirup. -- Prune tree. (Bot.) (a) A tree of the genus Prunus (Prunus domestica), which produces prunes. (b) The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis. -- South African prune (Bot.), the edible fruit of a sapindaceous tree (Pappea Capensis).
   1913 Webster