prune

[ proon ]

/ prun /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prune ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a variety of plum that dries without spoiling.

such a plum when dried.

any plum.

Nearby words

prudentius, prudery, prudhoe bay, prudish, pruinose, prune, prune-belly syndrome, prunella, prunelle, pruning hook, pruning shears

Origin of prune

1300–50; late Middle English < Middle French < Latin prūna, plural (taken as feminine singular) of prūnum plum < Greek proû(m)non plum¹

Definition for prune (2 of 3)

prune

[ proon ]

/ prun /

verb (used with object), pruned, prun·ing.

to cut or lop off (twigs, branches, or roots).

to cut or lop superfluous or undesired twigs, branches, or roots from; trim.

to rid or clear of (anything superfluous or undesirable).

to remove (anything considered superfluous or undesirable).

Origin of prune

1400–50; late Middle English prouynen < Middle French proognier to prune (vines), variant of provigner, derivative of provain scion (< Latin propāgin-, stem of propāgō; see propagate)

Related forms

prun·a·ble, adjectiveprun·a·bil·i·ty, nounprun·er, nounun·prun·a·ble, adjective

Definition for prune (3 of 3)

prune

[ proon ]

/ prun /

verb (used with object), pruned, prun·ing.

Archaic. to preen.

Origin of prune

1350–1400; Middle English prunen, pruynen, proy(g)nen < Old French poroign-, present stem of poroindre, equivalent to por- (< Latin pro- pro-¹) + oindre to anoint (< Latin unguere); see preen¹

Related forms

prun·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prune

This was the case with Prune Nourry, a young French sculptress who went to India to create a piece of art interpreting women.
Pharrell’s ‘GIRLS’ Exhibit Stars...Pharrell?|Liza Foreman|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We made the prune based Chocolate Fudge Torte at the bakery and it left everyone slack-jawed.
Fresh Picks|Matt Lewis Renato Poliafito|October 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST
It is sometimes necessary to prune a vine of rank and unhealthy growth, in order that it may bear good fruit.
30,000 Locked Out.|James C. Beeks
Then having selected a specimen, place it in the flat dish referred to above, and prune it if necessary.
Sea-Weeds, Shells and Fossils|Peter Gray

In the humid climate of the Northeastern States, it is usually advisable to prune a tree so as to have a rather open top.
Apple Growing|M. C. Burritt
I prune a great deal to let the sun, light and air in; I think it beneficial and that it pays.
The Apple|Various
I prune my young orchard with a knife, to balance the tree properly.
The Apple|Various

British Dictionary definitions for prune (1 of 3)

prune

/ (pruːn) /

noun

a purplish-black partially dried fruit of any of several varieties of plum tree

slang, mainly British a dull, uninteresting, or foolish person

Word Origin for prune

C14: from Old French prune, from Latin prūnum plum, from Greek prounon

British Dictionary definitions for prune (2 of 3)

prune

/ (pruːn) /

verb

to remove (dead or superfluous twigs, branches, etc) from (a tree, shrub, etc), esp by cutting off

to remove (anything undesirable or superfluous) from (a book, etc)

Derived Forms

prunable, adjectivepruner, noun

Word Origin for prune

C15: from Old French proignier to clip, probably from provigner to prune vines, from provain layer (of a plant), from Latin propāgo a cutting

British Dictionary definitions for prune (3 of 3)

prune

/ (pruːn) /

verb

an archaic word for preen 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with prune

prune

see full of beans, def. 2.