preen
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2 ENTRIES FOUND:

1preen

noun \ˈprēn\

Definition of PREEN

1
dialect chiefly British : pin
2
dialect chiefly British : brooch

Origin of PREEN

Middle English prene, from Old English prēon; akin to Middle High German pfrieme awl
First Known Use: before 12th century

2preen

transitive verb

Definition of PREEN

chiefly Scottish
: pin

First Known Use of PREEN

1572

3preen

verb

Definition of PREEN

transitive verb
1
of a bird : to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland
2
: to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp
3
: to pride or congratulate (oneself) on an achievement
intransitive verb
1
: to make oneself sleek
2
: to behave or speak with obvious pride or self-satisfaction
preen·er noun

Origin of PREEN

Middle English prenen, alteration of proynen, prunen, from Anglo-French puroindre, proindre, from pur- thoroughly + uindre, oindre to anoint, rub, from Latin unguere — more at purchase, ointment
First Known Use: 14th century

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