Main Entry:

³preen

Function:

verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1of a bird : to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland2: to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp3: to pride or congratulate (oneself) for achievementintransitive verb1: to make oneself sleek2: gloat, swell

— preen·er noun