n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: pruned ; prun · ing
Etymology: Middle English prouynen, probably ultimately from Old French prooignier , alteration of *porrooignier , from por - completely (fr. Latin pro -) + rooignier to cut, prune, from Vulgar Latin *rotundiare to cut around, from Latin rotundus round ― more at PRO- , ROTUND
Date: 15th century
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