prune

²prune

verb

prunedprun·ing

Definition of PRUNE

transitive verb

1

a : to reduce especially by eliminating superfluous matter <pruned the text> <prune the budget> b : to remove as superfluous <prune away all ornamentation>

2

: to cut off or cut back parts of for better shape or more fruitful growth <prune the branches>

intransitive verb

: to cut away what is unwanted or superfluous

— prun·er noun

Examples of PRUNE

1. She carefully pruned the hedge.
2. Those trees need to be pruned every year.
3. The students were asked to prune their essays.
4. The budget needs to be pruned.

Origin of PRUNE

Middle English prouynen, probably ultimately from Old French prooignier, alteration of *porrooignier, from por- completely (from Latin pro-) + rooignier to cut, prune, from Vulgar Latin *rotundiare to cut around, from Latin rotundus round — more at pro-, rotund

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PRUNE

Synonyms: bob, crop, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off), nip, pare, poll, clip, shave, shear, snip, trim

Related Words: skive, whittle; manicure, mow; pinch, stump; curtail, shorten

Near Antonyms: elongate, extend, lengthen

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