preen Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb clean with one's bill
    plume.
    • The birds preened
  2. verb pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement
    congratulate.
  3. verb dress or groom with elaborate care
    plume; dress; primp.
    • She likes to dress when going to the opera

WordNet

Preen noun
Etymology
AS. preón a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prj&omac;nn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.
Definitions
  1. A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.
Preen transitive verb
Etymology
See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Preened ; present participle & verbal noun Preening
Definitions
  1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds. Derham.
  2. To trim up, as trees. Prov. Eng. Halliwell.

Webster 1913