preen

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /pɹiːn/ Rhymes: -iːn === Etymology 1 === From Middle English pren, from Old English prēon, from Proto-Germanic *preunaz (compare Icelandic prjónn (“pin, knitting-needle”), Danish pryne (“needle, eel-spear”)), of uncertain origin, but perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *brewn- (“protrusion, tip, edge”) (compare Lithuanian briaunà (“edge”), Albanian brez (“belt, girdle”)). Cognate with German Pfriem. The verb is from Middle English prenen, from pren (“a preen”), akin to German pfriemen. ==== Alternative forms ==== prin (dialectal) ==== Noun ==== preen (plural preens) A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth. (dialectal) A pin. (dialectal) A bodkin; brooch. ==== Verb ==== preen (third-person singular simple present preens, present participle preening, simple past and past participle preened) (transitive) To pin; fasten. ==== Derived terms ==== === Etymology 2 === Variant of prune (by influence of preen above). Attested in Chaucer (c. 1395) in the variants preyneth, prayneth, proyneth, prunyht, pruneth, from Old French proignier (“to trim the feathers with the beak”). ==== Verb ==== preen (third-person singular simple present preens, present participle preening, simple past and past participle preened) (of birds, ambitransitive) To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak. (of people, intransitive, reflexive) To spend time making oneself attractive and admiring one's appearance, e.g. in front of a mirror. Synonyms: primp, smarten up (intransitive) To show off, posture, or smarm. Synonyms: flex, fluff one's feathers, swagger; see also Thesaurus:show off (transitive) To flatter. Synonyms: jolly, puff, stroke; see also Thesaurus:flatter (transitive) To comb; to make orderly. (transitive) To trim up, as trees. (transitive, more generally) To improve the appearance of; groom; prettify. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== See also ==== primp === Anagrams === neper, perne == Scots == === Etymology === From Middle English pren, from Old English prēon, from Proto-Germanic *preunaz (“pin, knitting needle”). === Noun === preen (plural preens) metal pin pine needle ==== Derived terms ==== === Verb === preen (third-person singular simple present preens, present participle preenin, simple past and past participle preent) to pin (fasten with a pin) to dress oneself up == Spanish == === Verb === preen inflection of prear: third-person plural present subjunctive third-person plural imperative