prune
1a variety of plum that dries without spoiling.
such a plum when dried.
any plum.
Origin of prune
1Other definitions for prune (2 of 3)
to cut or lop off (twigs, branches, or roots).
to cut or lop superfluous or undesired twigs, branches, or roots from; trim.
to rid or clear of (anything superfluous or undesirable).
to remove (anything considered superfluous or undesirable).
Origin of prune
2Other words from prune
- prun·a·ble, adjective
- prun·a·bil·i·ty [proo-nuh-bil-i-tee], /ˌpru nəˈbɪl ɪ ti/, noun
- prun·er, noun
- un·prun·a·ble, adjective
Other definitions for prune (3 of 3)
Archaic. to preen.
Origin of prune
3Other words from prune
- prun·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use prune in a sentence
On the afternoon of July 15, the grape vine on the wall near my window was being attended to by the pruner.
Memoirs of a Surrey Labourer | George Sturt (AKA George Bourne)I prune my trees in June when they are large, so as to let in light and sun; I use a tree pruner; think it pays.
The Apple | VariousHe usually managed to give the vines in my neighborhood extra attention—like Garibaldi, he was a confirmed pruner.
The Smiling Hill-Top | Julia M. SloaneVan Beneden and Pruner-Bey, who are both great authorities on the subject of anthropology.
Primitive Man | Louis FiguierPruner Bey describes it as "ammoniacal and rancid; it is like the odor of the he-goat."
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 4 (of 6) | Havelock Ellis
British Dictionary definitions for prune (1 of 3)
/ (pruːn) /
a purplish-black partially dried fruit of any of several varieties of plum tree
slang, mainly British a dull, uninteresting, or foolish person
Origin of prune
1British Dictionary definitions for prune (2 of 3)
/ (pruːn) /
to remove (dead or superfluous twigs, branches, etc) from (a tree, shrub, etc), esp by cutting off
to remove (anything undesirable or superfluous) from (a book, etc)
Origin of prune
2Derived forms of prune
- prunable, adjective
- pruner, noun
British Dictionary definitions for prune (3 of 3)
/ (pruːn) /
an archaic word for preen 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with prune
see full of beans, def. 2.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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