prune Definition

prune¹
verb pruned, pruning

1. To cut off (branches, etc) from (a tree or shrub) in order to stimulate its growth, improve the production of fruit or flowers, etc.

Thesaurus: clip, cut, pare, snip, shape, trim, lop.
2. To cut out (superfluous matter) from (a piece of writing, etc); to trim or edit.
3. To cut back on (expenses, etc).

noun

1. An act of pruning.

Derivative: pruner
noun

Etymology: 15c: from French proignier, from provigner to prune vines.

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prune²
noun

1. A plum that has been preserved by drying, which gives it a black wrinkled appearance.
2. colloq
A silly foolish person.

Etymology: 14c: French, from Latin prunum plum.