PRUNE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Prune

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verb

Prune v. t. (past & past part. pruned; pres. part. pruning)

To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune an essay. "Taking into consideration how they (laws) are to be pruned and reformed." "Our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers."

To cut off or cut out, as useless parts. "Horace will our superfluous branches prune."

To preen; to prepare; to dress. "His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak."

Prune v. i. To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt.

noun

Prune n. A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes; California prunes.

German prune (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving, either dried or in sirup.

Prune tree. (Bot.)

(a)

A tree of the genus Prunus (Prunus domestica), which produces prunes.

(b)

The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis.

South African prune (Bot.), the edible fruit of a sapindaceous tree (Pappea Capensis).

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Etymology of 'Prune'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Prune" Quotes from Famous Books

... a little out of town who had a garden, and his wife wanted flowers, and they knew nothing about it: so I made a compact. I provided the roses—I made the soil—I planted them—and I used to go and prune them and look after them. ...

— Juliana Horatia Ewing And Her Books • Horatia K. F. Eden

... much nourishment in dates, figs (those dried round are better than layer figs) and raisins. Pitted dates and seedless raisins are best for light outfits. And do not despise the humble prune; buy the best grade in the market (unknown to landladies) and soak over night before stewing; it will be a revelation. Take a variety of dried fruits, and mix them in different combinations, sweet and tart, so as not to have ...

— Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts • Girl Scouts

... floor, inhabited by old Madame Prune, my landlady, and her aged husband; they are absorbed in prayer before the altar ...

— Madame Chrysantheme Complete • Pierre Loti

... the leafy lane Looked city-ward, then stooped to prune again Her vines and simples, ...

— The Complete Works of Whittier - The Standard Library Edition with a linked Index • John Greenleaf Whittier

... clashed Smitten with swords, with lances, and with darts. Spears plunged into men's flesh: dread Ares drank His fill of blood: struck down fell man on man, As Greek and Trojan fought. In level poise The battle-balance hung. As when young men In hot haste prune a vineyard with the steel, And each keeps pace with each in rivalry, Since all in strength and age be equal-matched; So did the awful scales of battle hang Level: all Trojan hearts beat high, and firm Stood they in trust on aweless Ares' might, While ...

— The Fall of Troy • Smyrnaeus Quintus

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