I. ˈprēn noun
Etymology: Middle English prene, from Old English prēon; akin to Middle High German pfrieme awl
Date: before 12th century
1. dialect chiefly British : pin
2. dialect chiefly British : brooch
II. transitive verb
Date: 1572
chiefly Scottish : pin
III. verb
Etymology: Middle English prenen, alteration of proynen, prunen, from Anglo-French puroindre, proindre, from pur- thoroughly + uindre, oindre to anoint, rub, from Latin unguere — more at purchase , ointment
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. of a bird : to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland
2. : to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp
3. : to pride or congratulate (oneself) for achievement
intransitive verb
1. : to make oneself sleek
2. : gloat , swell
• preen·er noun