Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare pranked adj.¹, pranking n.¹, and later prank v.²Compare also prank n.² and discussion at that entry.

Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare slightly later prank v.³A relationship with either prank v.⁴ or prank n.¹ is sometimes suggested, but in neither case is there any clear semantic connection. In sense 1 sometimes rendering classical Latin scelus crime (see scelerate adj. and n.) or facinus bad deed (see facinorous adj.).

Etymology: < prank v.¹

Etymology: Apparently related to prank v.⁴ and pranked adj.²; perhaps shortened < pranked adj.², with loss of the final consonant.

Etymology: Origin uncertain; perhaps originally the same word as prank v.⁴ (although that is first attested later), or perhaps borrowed < one of the Germanic parallels cited at that entry; perhaps influenced sematically by prance v., or perhaps related to it (perhaps showing an alteration of prance v. after prank v.⁴, although this would again present problems of chronology, and it is possible that prance v. instead shows an alteration of the present word: see discussion at that entry).

Etymology: Probably a back-formation < either pranked adj.¹ or pranking n.¹ Compare earlier prank n.¹

Etymology: Related to prank n.²; further etymology unknown (see discussion at that entry).

Etymology: Origin uncertain; compare Middle Dutch pronken , proncken to boast, to sulk, in early modern Dutch also to decorate, to show off (Dutch pronken ), Middle Low German prunken to boast, to show off, to dress up, to make a fuss ( > German prunken to show off (17th cent.)), and (apparently ultimately < the same base) Middle Low German prangen to show off, Middle High German brangen , prangen (German prangen ; perhaps < Middle Low German), all of uncertain origin. Compare also Middle Low German prank (inflected prang- ) (great) beauty, splendour. Compare prank adj. Compare also prank v.¹, prink v.², and discussion at those entries.