preen
preen definition
preen (prēn)
transitive verb
- to clean and trim (the feathers) with the beak: said of birds
- to make (oneself) trim; dress up or adorn (oneself)
- to show satisfaction with or vanity in (oneself)
Etymology: ME preynen, altered (infl. by preonen, to prick with a pin < preon < OE, a pin) < proinen, to prune
intransitive verb
to dress up in a fussy way; prink or primp
Related Forms:
- preener preen′er noun
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