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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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Prune \Prune\, v. i.
To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt.
--Dryden.
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Prune \Prune\, n. [F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See {Plum}.]
A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or
Turkish prunes; California prunes.
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{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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