/ pruːn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a dried plum that is often eaten cooked :
stewed prunes
■ verb [ vn ] prune sth (back)
1.
to cut off some of the branches from a tree, bush, etc. so that it will grow better and stronger :
When should you prune apple trees?
He pruned the longer branches off the tree.
The hedge needs pruning back.
2.
to make sth smaller by removing parts; to cut out parts of sth :
Staff numbers have been pruned back to 175.
Prune out any unnecessary details.
► prun·ing noun [ U ]:
All roses require annual pruning.
The company would benefit from a little pruning here and there.
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WORD ORIGIN
noun Middle English : from Old French , via Latin from Greek prou(m)non plum.
verb late 15th cent. (in the sense abbreviate ): from Old French pro(o)ignier , possibly based on Latin rotundus round.