pri:n v.tr. & refl. 1 (of a bird)
tidy (the feathers or itself)
with its beak. 2 (of a person)
smarten or
admire (oneself, one's
hair,
clothes, etc.). 3 (often foll. by on)
congratulate or
pride (oneself). øpreen gland a gland situated at
the base of a bird's tail
and producing
oil used in preening. øøpreener n. [ME, app. var. of earlier prune (perh. rel. to PRUNE(2)): assoc. with
Sc. &
dial. preen
pierce, pin]