Adjacent Words

Pruning definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PRU'NING, ppr. Lopping off superfluous branches; trimming; clearing of what is superfluous.
PRU'NING, n. In gardening and agriculture, the lopping off the superfluous branches of trees,either for improving the trees or their fruit.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

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

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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. 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. --Spenser. His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak. --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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