transcription, транскрипция: [ pri:n ]
( preens, preening, preened)
1.
If someone preens themselves , they spend a lot of time making themselves look neat and attractive; used especially if you want to show that you disapprove of this behaviour or that you find it ridiculous and amusing.
50% of men under 35 spend at least 20 minutes preening themselves every morning in the bathroom...
Bill preened his beard.
VERB : V pron-refl , V n [ disapproval ]
2.
If someone preens , they think in a pleased way about how attractive, clever, or good at something they are.
She stood preening in their midst, delighted with the attention...
He preened himself on the praise he had received.
...a preening prize fighter about to enter a ring.
VERB : V , V pron-refl on n , V-ing [ disapproval ]
3.
When birds preen their feathers, they clean them and arrange them neatly using their beaks.
Rare birds preen themselves right in front of your camera.
VERB : V pron-refl , also V , V n