preened

verbadmire and clean oneself

Synonyms for preened

verb admire and clean oneself

Antonyms for preened

dirty

Word Origin & History

"to trim, to dress up," late 14c., perhaps a variation of Middle English proynen, proinen "trim the feather with the beak" (see prune (v.)); or perhaps from Old French poroindre "anoint before," and Old French proignier "round off, prune." Middle English prene (from Old English preon, a general Germanic word) meant "to pin," and probably influenced the form of this word. Watkins, however, connects it with Latin unguere "to smear, anoint."

Because of the popularity of falconry, bird activities formerly were more closely observed and words for them were more precise in English than today.

Example Sentences for preened

They ruffled their wings and preened their plumage, a sure indication of satisfaction.

But Margot only preened her head with a smile of undaunted self-confidence.

She preened herself and displayed the deportment of a queen in exile.

And the bird, with its leg chained close to the log, preened its wings.

Perhaps you preened your pretty feathers in them when they were fixed on the demigod.

The girls were eager, Lily Pendleton preened herself in her seat.

I do confess, I have Too often preened my feathers in the sun And thought to rule a little, by my wit.

The professor bowed and preened himself as he sugared his tea.

And the bird—the bird—with its leg chained close to the log, preened its wing.

He covered her with his glance, so that she preened herself.