preen

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːn

Etymology 1

From Middle English pren, from Old English prēon (“pin, brooch, clasp, bodkin, fastening”), from Proto-Germanic *preunaz (“awl”), from Proto-Indo-European *bherem- (“protrusion, tip, edge”). Cognate with Dutch priem (“bodkin, broach, prong”), Low German preem (“pin, spike, awl”), German Pfriem (“awl”), Danish pren (“bodkin, stylus”), Icelandic prjönn (“pin, knitting-needle”).

Alternative forms

• prin (dialectal)

Noun

preen (plural preens)

1. A pin.
2. A bodkin; brooch.
3. A forked instrument used by clothiers in dressing cloth.

Etymology 2

From Middle English prenen, from pren (“a preen”). See above.

Verb

preen (third-person singular simple present preens, present participle preening, simple past and past participle preened)

1. (transitive) To pin; fasten.

Etymology 3

Alteration (due to preen above) of prune.

Verb

preen (third-person singular simple present preens, present participle preening, simple past and past participle preened)

1. (of birds) To groom; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers.
2. To show off, posture, or smarm.
   • 1993, Scott Simmon, The Films of D W Griffith

     His preening self-satisfaction, chest thrown forward as he settles into a chair in his mansion...

   • 2004, Jude Deveraux, Counterfeit Lady

     He preened under her compliments.

Translations

To groom

Finnish: sukia (fi) German: putzen (de)

Russian: прихорашиваться (ru)

To show off

German: sich brüsten (de)

See also

• primp

Anagrams

• neper