prune Hear it!

prune¹ Definition

prune (pro̵̅o̅n)

noun

  1. a plum dried for eating
  2. any of various varieties of plum that can be dried without spoiling
  3. Slang a dull or otherwise unpleasant person

Etymology: ME < MFr < VL pruna < L prunum < Gr proumnon, plum

prune² Definition

prune (pro̵̅o̅n)

transitive verb pruned, prun·ing

  1. to remove dead or living parts from (a plant) so as to increase fruit or flower production or improve the form
  2. to cut out or get rid of as being unnecessary
  3. to reduce or diminish by removing what is unnecessary

Etymology: ME prouynen < OFr prooignier, prob. < provaignier, to cut < provain (< L propago: see propagate), a slip, infl. by rooignier, to cut off < LL *rotundiare < L rotundus, round: see rotund

intransitive verb

to cut away or remove unnecessary parts

prune² Related Forms

pruner noun

prune³ Definition

prune (pro̵̅o̅n)

transitive verb, intransitive verb pruned, prun·ing

Archaic to preen or dress up

Etymology: ME proinen < OFr poroindre < por- (for pro-) + oindre (< L ungere), to anoint

prune Synonyms

prune

n.

Varieties of prunes include: French, Stanley, Italian-Fellemberg, St. Julien, myrobalan, Bosnian;

prune Synonyms

prune

v.

lop, clip, dock; see cut 1.

prune Usage Examples

Object

  • saw: Click here for more details on the Gerber folding pruning saw or just add to cart to buy online now.
  • shear: Now is the time to take the same pruning shears to the agenda.
  • rose: He never writes in the mornings: " Those are spent worrying about the bills and pruning the roses.
  • clematis: Pruning clematis often causes uncertainty, as there are different groups of this popular climber, each with its own requirements.
  • shrub: Early in the month prune the shrubs that produce their best show on vigorous new wood.
  • vine: To avoid ' bleeding ' , do not prune the vine later than December.

Modifying Another Word

  • ruthlessly: And the only way to fund these would be by ruthlessly pruning the existing staff.
  • lightly: In the first spring, lightly prune the main stems, in their second spring reduce the previous season's growth by half.
  • annually: Pruning - Climbers usually require pruning annually to improve their flowering.
  • heavily: Languages like java are designed to give you a heavily pruned search space.
  • regularly: Plants pruned regularly can last more than 100 years.
  • twice: Both are useful for creating privacy in new gardens, however, provided they are pruned rigorously twice a year.

Used with why or when

where: The plant preparation for the show began last autumn, with all the plants being repotted and pruned where necessary.

Infinitive complement

  • remove: This area will be pruned to remove dormant files.
  • keep: Prune older box from March to the summer solstice, after which you should only prune lightly to keep the shape.
  • encourage: Once established prune to encourage the formation of flowering spurs, close to the main framework of the plant.

Preposition: in

  • autumn: The exception to this general rule are herbaceous clematis which should be hard pruned in the autumn or late February irrespective of age.
  • winter: From Chris, UK Myrtles bloom on the current season's wood, which means they should be pruned in late winter.
  • summer: However, certain species should be pruned in the summer, for example Cherry.

Preposition: of

tree: Pruning of plum trees depends on the form wanted - pyramid, bush, standard or half standard.

Browse dictionary entries near prune

  1. pruinose
  2. prudish
  3. Prudhoe Bay
  4. prudery
  5. prudential
  6. prudent-man rule
  7. prudent
  8. prudence
  9. prude
  10. Prozac
  1. prunella
  2. pruning hook
  3. prunus
  4. prurient
  5. prurigo
  6. pruritus
  7. Prus
  8. Prussia
  9. Prussian
  10. Prussian blue