Prune — Defs

01 v. t. 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,…

imp. & p. p. Pruned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pruning

1.
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.” — Bacon.

“Our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers.” — Milton.
2.
To cut off or cut out, as useless parts.
“Horace will our superfluous branches prune.” — Waller.
3.
To preen; to prepare; to dress.
“His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak.” — Shak.

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

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

1.
A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes; California prunes.

Phrases & compounds

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

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

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