prune 1
/proohn/ , n.
1. a variety of plum that dries without spoiling.
2. such a plum when dried.
3. any plum.
[ 1300-50; late ME pruna, pl. (taken as fem. sing.) of prunum plum proû ( m ) non PLUM 1 ]
prune 2
— prunable , adj. — prunability , n. — pruner , n.
/proohn/ , v.t., pruned, pruning .
1. to cut or lop off (twigs, branches, or roots).
2. to cut or lop superfluous or undesired twigs, branches, or roots from; trim.
3. to rid or clear of (anything superfluous or undesirable).
4. to remove (anything considered superfluous or undesirable).
[ 1400-50; late ME prouynen proognier to prune (vines), var. of provigner, deriv. of provain scion ( propagin-, s. of propago; see PROPAGATE) ]
prune 3
— prunable , adj.
/proohn/ , v.t., pruned, pruning .
Archaic. to preen.
[ 1350-1400; ME prunen, pruynen, proy ( g ) nen poroign-, pres. s. of poroindre, equiv. to por- ( pro- PRO- 1 ) + oindre to anoint ( unguere ); see PREEN 1 ]