Pruning

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Prune \Prune\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pruned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Pruning}.] [OE. proine, probably fr. F. provigner to lay
     down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the
     meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See {Provine}.]
     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. --Thackeray.
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              Taking into consideration how they [laws] are to be
              pruned and reformed.                  --Bacon.
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              Our delightful task
              To prune these growing plants, and tend these
              flowers.                              --Milton.
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     2. To cut off or cut out, as useless parts.
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              Horace will our superfluous branches prune.
                                                    --Waller.
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     3. To preen; to prepare; to dress. --Spenser.
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              His royal bird
              Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pruning \Prun"ing\, n.
     1. The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous.
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     2. (Falconry) That which is cast off by bird in pruning her
        feathers; leavings. --Beau. & Fl.
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     {Pruning hook}, or {Pruning knife}, cutting instrument used
        in pruning trees, etc.
  
     {Pruning shears}, shears for pruning trees, vines, etc.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pruning
       n 1: something that has been pruned off of a plant
       2: the act of trimming a plant