英语词汇“preen”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

preen¹ v.

Zoology[~ + object] (of a bird) to clean or dress (its feathers, etc.) with the beak or tongue.
to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly;
primp: [no object]stood preening in front of the mirror.[~ + oneself]preening himself in front of the mirror.
to be proud and show one's appreciation of oneself because of personal quality, etc.: [no object]He stood there preening as the teacher congratulated him.[~ + oneself]preening herself on her accomplishments.

preen¹ v.t.

Zoology(of animals, esp. birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue:The peacock preened itself on the lawn.
to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly;
primp:The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes.
to pride (oneself ) on an achievement, personal quality, etc.:He preened himself on having been graduated with honors.

v.i.

to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance:No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture.
to be exultant or proud.

late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen (see prune³), perh. by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (verb, verbal use, now dialect, dialectal, of prene preen²), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening 1480–90

preen′er, n.

preen² n. [Chiefly Brit. Dial.]

British Termsa pin or brooch.

bef. 1000; Middle English prene, Old English prēon a pin; cognate with Old Norse prjōnn pin; akin to Dutch priem, German Pfreim awl

preen /priːn/ vb

(of birds) to maintain (feathers) in a healthy condition by arrangement, cleaning, and other contact with the bill
to dress or array (oneself) carefully; primp
(usually followed by on) to pride or congratulate (oneself)

Etymology: 14th Century preinen, probably from prunen to prune³, influenced by prenen to prick, pin (see preen²); suggestive of the pricking movement of the bird's beak

ˈpreener n

单词	preen
释义	WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024 preen¹ /prin/USA pronunciation v. Zoology[~ + object] (of a bird) to clean or dress (its feathers, etc.) with the beak or tongue. to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly; primp: [no object]stood preening in front of the mirror.[~ + oneself]preening himself in front of the mirror. to be proud and show one's appreciation of oneself because of personal quality, etc.: [no object]He stood there preening as the teacher congratulated him.[~ + oneself]preening herself on her accomplishments. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024 preen¹ (prēn),USA pronunciation v.t. Zoology(of animals, esp. birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue:The peacock preened itself on the lawn. to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly; primp:The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes. to pride (oneself ) on an achievement, personal quality, etc.:He preened himself on having been graduated with honors. v.i. to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance:No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture. to be exultant or proud. late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen (see prune³), perh. by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (verb, verbal use, now dialect, dialectal, of prene preen²), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening 1480–90 preen′er, n. preen² (prēn),USA pronunciation n. [Chiefly Brit. Dial.] British Termsa pin or brooch. bef. 1000; Middle English prene, Old English prēon a pin; cognate with Old Norse prjōnn pin; akin to Dutch priem, German Pfreim awl Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: preen /priːn/ vb (of birds) to maintain (feathers) in a healthy condition by arrangement, cleaning, and other contact with the bill to dress or array (oneself) carefully; primp (usually followed by on) to pride or congratulate (oneself) Etymology: 14th Century preinen, probably from prunen to prune³, influenced by prenen to prick, pin (see preen²); suggestive of the pricking movement of the bird's beak ˈpreener n
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