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pruning hook

American  

noun

  1. an implement with a hooked blade, used for pruning vines, branches, etc.


pruning hook British  

noun

  1. a tool with a curved steel blade terminating in a hook, used for pruning

"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

Etymology

Origin of pruning hook

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The woman holds a laurel wreath, plow stock and pruning hook, and a biblical inscription at her feet says: “They have beat their swords into plough-shares and their spears into pruning hooks.”

From Seattle Times

At our best, we aspire to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks.

From Seattle Times

Paraphrasing the biblical peace call to "beat your swords into plowshares and your spears into pruning hooks," Cantalamessa spoke of beating "missiles into factories and homes".

From Reuters

The savaged population of Europe stood helpless as plowshares and pruning hooks were literally beaten into swords and spears.'

From Literature

The prophet Isaiah even tells us that when the messiah enters into human history, he will “beat spears and swords into ploughshares and pruning hooks.”

From Time