Preen hatched in 14th-century Middle English, and early on it displayed various spelling forms, including prenen, prayne, prene, and preyne. The word traces to Anglo-French puroindre, or proindre, linking pur-, meaning "thoroughly," with uindre, oindre, meaning "to anoint or rub." One of the first writers known to apply preen to the human act of primping was Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. Centuries later (sometime during the late 19th century), the prideful meaning of preen hatched, joining another bird-related word, plume, which was being used with the meaning "to pride or congratulate (oneself)" from the first half of the 17th century.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Watching Lil Nas X pose and preen on his walk to the stage was more fun than most of the night’s music. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2022 Keas traditionally use their beaks to preen themselves. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2021 The goose will preen her ponytail while vocalizing with a playlist of notes and volumes. Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, 24 Nov. 2021 Albatrosses in matrimonial sync will tenderly preen each other and cuddle in their nest. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Nov. 2021 Birds also instinctually preen themselves to remove anything on their feathers, which exposes them to ingesting toxic amounts of oil, Anderson says. Brandon Griggs, CNN, 5 Oct. 2021 Now with the flood of billions of dollars in CARES Act and American Rescue Plan funding, the feds are providing nothing new but a PR opportunity for mayors and others to preen about housing and homelessness. Paul Webster, National Review, 28 Sep. 2021 Using his tongue, the parrot holds the small stone in place to preen his plumage. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2021 While the pandemic drove the world indoors for safety, an evolutionary desire to preen ourselves proved tough to stifle.New York Times, 14 July 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English prenen, alteration of proynen, prunen, from Anglo-French puroindre, proindre, from pur- thoroughly + uindre, oindre to anoint, rub, from Latin unguere — more at purchase entry 1, ointment
Noun
Middle English prene, from Old English prēon; akin to Middle High German pfrieme awl