preen

¹

[ preen ]

verb (used with object)

1. (of animals, especially birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue:

   The peacock preened itself on the lawn.

2. to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly; primp:

   The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes.

3. to pride (oneself ) on an achievement, personal quality, etc.:

   He preened himself on having graduated with honors.

verb (used without object)

1. to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance:

   No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture.

2. to be exultant or proud.

preen

²

[ preen ]

noun

, Chiefly British Dialect.

1. a pin or brooch.

preen

¹

/ priːn /

verb

1. (of birds) to maintain (feathers) in a healthy condition by arrangement, cleaning, and other contact with the bill
2. to dress or array (oneself) carefully; primp
3. usually foll by on to pride or congratulate (oneself)

preen

²

/ priːn /

noun

1. a pin, esp a decorative one

Derived Forms

• ˈpreener, noun

Other Words From

• preen·er noun
• un·preened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preen¹

1480–90; late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen ( prune ³ ), perhaps by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (v. use, now dial., of prene preen ² ), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening

Origin of preen²

before 1000; Middle English prene, Old English prēon a pin; cognate with Old Norse prjōnn pin; akin to Dutch priem, German Pfreim awl

Word History and Origins

Origin of preen¹

C14 preinen, probably from prunen to prune ³, influenced by prenen to prick, pin (see preen ²); suggestive of the pricking movement of the bird's beak

Origin of preen²

Old English prēon a pin; related to Middle High German pfrieme awl, Dutch priem bodkin

Example Sentences

Owls normally find naturally occurring hideaways to preen, sleep, and build nests.

From Popular-Science

When the loon was released, Mager said it seemed to swim out onto the lake, preening itself.

From Washington Post

A Manassas retiree who had started a Facebook page when the loon landed in Fairfax posted daily pictures and comments that tracked the loon swimming, preening, fish-catching and eating.

From Washington Post

Since then, posts and updates on the loon have taken off as many report on its every move, from eating a fish to preening its feathers.

From Washington Post

Sam liked to wear fancy necklaces, the flashier the better, and strut and preen like Marlene Dietrich in “The Blue Angel.”

From Washington Post

Hot pink takes the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi runway in London.

From The Daily Beast

This is not the first time Palin has attempted to sun and preen herself in the heat of a Thatcherite sun.

From The Daily Beast

Rather than preen about whether he could win, Christie considered whether he should win.

From The Daily Beast

An endless stream of 2012 presidential wannabes will preen for adoring fans and plentiful cameras.

From The Daily Beast

A few moments to preen and promenade for the cameras following months of planning and fitting, hours of hair and makeup.

From The Daily Beast

The stones and metal rattle inEach dry and withering ear, As lackadaisical they loll,And preen themselves, and peer.

From Project Gutenberg

I saw him rise from his chair; I saw the astounded look of old Deborah Preen when she came in with his supper ale in a jug.

From Project Gutenberg

The nurse wore a scared face; Deborah Preen, wringing her hands, burst out sobbing.

From Project Gutenberg

Softly, calmly, with the purest joy he sang, pausing at the end of every few bars to preen and call.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a very polished prince, and when he had eaten his dinner he turned round to the lady and sought a preen to pyke his teeth.

From Project Gutenberg