prank2
[prangk]
- to dress or adorn in an ostentatious manner: They were all pranked out in their fanciest clothes.
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- to make an ostentatious show or display.
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Origin of prank2
1540–50; akin to Dutch pronken to show off, strut, pronk show, finery, Middle Low German prank pomp
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
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bedeckembellishfestoonbeautifyembroideradorndresstrimilluminatedeckbrightengracerenovatepaintgildenrichprimppolisharraygarnishExamples from the Web for pranking
Contemporary Examples
We wanted to touch base on everything—the jokes, the girls, pranking on each other.
Michael B. Jordan Talks About ‘Chronicle,’ ‘Red Tails,’ and ‘The Wire’Maria Elena Fernandez
February 1, 2012
Historical Examples
He would never abuse an animal, unless, as in the Pain-killer incident, his tendency to pranking ran away with him.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, CompleteAlbert Bigelow Paine
It was on a Wednesday that the pranking army of high-mettled warriors issued forth from the ancient gates of Antiquera.
Chronicle of the Conquest of GranadaWashington Irving
Perhaps it was a solemn farce enacted by pranking existences that throng the shadows lying along the border of another world.
prank1
- a mischievous trick or joke, esp one in which something is done rather than said
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Word Origin
C16: of unknown origin
prank2
- (tr) to dress or decorate showily or gaudily
- (intr) to make an ostentatious display
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Word Origin
C16: from Middle Dutch pronken; related to German Prunk splendour, prangen to be in full splendour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for pranking
prank
n.
"a ludicrous trick" [Johnson], 1520s, of uncertain origin, perhaps related to obsolete verb prank "decorate, dress up" (mid-15c.), related to Middle Low German prank "display" (cf. also Dutch pronken, German prunken "to make a show, to strut"). The verb in the modern sense also is from 1520s. Related: Pranked; pranking.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper