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prune2

Pronunciation: /pruːn/
Translate prune | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of prune

verb

[with object]
  • trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth: now is the time to prune roses [no object]: to limit growth, prune in summer
  • cut away (a branch or stem) from a tree, shrub, etc.:prune back the branches
  • reduce the extent of (something) by removing superfluous or unwanted parts:the workforce was pruned
  • remove (superfluous or unwanted parts) from something:Eliot deliberately pruned away details

noun

[in singular]
  • an instance of trimming a tree, shrub, or bush: they need little care other than an annual prune

Derivatives

pruner

noun

Origin:

late 15th century (in the sense 'abbreviate'): from Old French pro(o)ignier, possibly based on Latin rotundus 'round'

prune in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of prune in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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