preen feathers
1Preen — Preen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preened}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Preening}.] [See {Preen}, n.; or cf. {Prune}.] 1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; said of birds. Derham. [1913 Webster] 2. To trim up, as… …
2preen — [pri:n] v [I and T] [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: Probably from Old French proignier; PRUNE1] 1.) if a bird preens or preens itself, it cleans itself and makes its feathers smooth using its beak 2.) to spend time making yourself look tidier and more… …
3preen — ► VERB 1) (of a bird) tidy and clean its feathers with its beak. 2) devote effort to making oneself look attractive. 3) (preen oneself) congratulate or pride oneself. ORIGIN probably related to obsolete prune, from Latin ungere anoint …
4preen — [ prin ] verb intransitive or transitive 1. ) if a bird or animal preens or preens itself, it cleans and arrange its feathers or fur with its beak or tongue 2. ) to spend a lot of time trying to make yourself look more attractive by arranging… …
5preen — [prēn] vt. [ME preynen, altered (infl. by preonen, to prick with a pin < preon < OE, a pin) < proinen, to PRUNE3] 1. to clean and trim (the feathers) with the beak: said of birds 2. to make (oneself) trim; dress up or adorn (oneself) 3.… …
6preen´er — preen1 «preen», transitive verb, intransitive verb. 1. to smooth or arrange (the feathers) with the beak, as a bird does: »Past the Ryemeadow s lonely woodland nook Where many a stubble gray goose preens her wing (John Masefield). 2. to dress… …
7preen gland — noun oil secreting gland situated at the base of the tail in most birds • Syn: ↑uropygial gland • Hypernyms: ↑oil gland • Part Holonyms: ↑bird * * * noun Etymology: pre …
8preen gland — ▪ bird anatomy also called Uropygial, or Oil, Gland, in birds, an organ located on the back near the base of the tail. Paired or in two united halves, it is found in most birds. Absent in ostrich, emu, cassowary, bustard, frogmouth, and… …
9preen — [[t]pri͟ːn[/t]] preens, preening, preened 1) VERB (disapproval) If someone preens themselves, they spend a lot of time making themselves look neat and attractive; used especially if you want to show that you disapprove of this behaviour or that… …
10preen — preen1 preener, n. /preen/, v.t. 1. (of animals, esp. birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue: The peacock preened itself on the lawn. 2. to dress (oneself) carefully or smartly; primp: The king preened himself in… …