■ adjective ( ~mer , ~mest ) feeling or showing disapproval of anything improper; stiffly correct.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ming , ~med ) purse (the mouth or lips) into a ~ expression.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
C17 (as v.): prob. ult. from OFr. prin , Provençal ~ 'excellent, delicate', from L. ~us 'first'.