~ 1
■ adjective neat and smart.
■ verb ( ~ someone/thing up ) make a person or place smarter.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
C16: perh. from ~ 2 in the obs. sense 'Prussian', in the phr. ~ (leather) jerkin .
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~ 2
■ noun a widespread coniferous tree which has a distinctive conical shape and hanging cones, grown for wood, pulp, and Christmas trees. [Genus Picea : many species.]
Origin
ME (denoting Prussia or something originating in Prussia): alt. of obs. Pruce 'Prussia'.
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~ 3
■ verb Brit. informal, dated engage in pretence, especially by feigning illness.
Derivatives
~r noun
Origin
early 20th cent.: of unknown origin.