*pru*

n. [ OE. cipres, cypirs; perh. so named as being first manufactured in Cyprus. Cf. Cipers. ] A thin, transparent stuff, the same as, or corresponding to, crape. It was either white or black, the latter being most common, and used for mourning. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Lawn as white as driven snow,
Cyprus black as e'er was crow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Cyprus. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ferri- + prussiate. ] (Chem.) A ferricyanate; a ferricyanide. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Ferri- + prussic. ] (Chem.) Ferricyanic. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ferro- + prussiate. ] (Chem.) A ferrocyanate; a ferocyanide. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Ferro- + prussic. ] (Chem.) Ferrocyanic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. imprudentia: cf. F. imprudence. Cf. Improvidence. ] The quality or state of being imprudent; want to caution, circumspection, or a due regard to consequences; indiscretion; inconsideration; rashness; also, an imprudent act; as, he was guilty of an imprudence. [ 1913 Webster ]

His serenity was interrupted, perhaps, by his own imprudence. Mickle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. imprudens; pref. im- not + prudens prudent: cf. F. imprudent. See Prudent, and cf. Improvident. ] Not prudent; wanting in prudence or discretion; indiscreet; injudicious; not attentive to consequence; improper. -- Im*pru"dent*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

Her majesty took a great dislike at the imprudent behavior of many of the ministers and readers. Strype. [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- Indiscreet; injudicious; incautious; ill-advised; unwise; heedless; careless; rash; negligent. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. jurisprudentia; jus, juris, right, law + prudentia a foreseeing, knowledge of a matter, prudence: cf. F. jurisprudence. See Just, a., and Prudence. ] The science of juridical law; the knowledge of the laws, customs, and rights of men in a state or community, necessary for the due administration of justice. [ 1913 Webster ]

The talents of Abelard were not confined to theology, jurisprudence, philosophy. J. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Medical jurisprudence, that branch of juridical law which concerns questions of medicine. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Jurisprudence. ] Understanding law; skilled in jurisprudence. G. West. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. jurisprudent. ] One skilled in law or jurisprudence. [ R. ] De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to jurisprudence. Stewart. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. having just or recently arisen or come into existence. [ prenominal ]
Syn. -- newborn, newly arisen. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ Nitro- + prussic. ] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a complex acid called nitroprussic acid, obtained indirectly by the action of nitric acid on potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate), as a red crystalline unstable substance. It forms salts called nitroprussides, which give a rich purple color with alkaline sulphides. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Nitroprussic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. for Prussia: cf. F. Prusse. ] Prussian leather. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest; shortened from OF. prudefeme, preudefeme, a discreet or excellent woman; OF. preu, prou, excellent, brave + de of + fete woman. See Prow, a., Prowess. ] A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary prudence in conduct and speech. [ 1913 Webster ]

Less modest than the speech of prudes. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. L. prudentia, contr. from providentia. See Prudent, and cf. Providence. ] The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness; judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection; judgment. See Wisdom. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Prudence. [ Obs. ] Hakluyt. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. prudens, -entis, contr. from providens: cf. F. prudent. See Provident. ] 1. Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Moses established a grave and prudent law. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Cautious; wary; circumspect; considerate; discreet; judicious; provident; economical; frugal. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by, prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or influences; as, prudential motives. “ A prudential line of conduct.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory; superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion or prudence; -- usually in the pl. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many stanzas, in poetic measures, contain rules relating to common prudentials as well as to religion. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who is governed by, or acts from, prudential motives. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being prudential. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prudential manner; prudently. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prudent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Pruderies [ F. pruderie. See Prude. ] The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prud'homme. cf. Prude. ] A trustworthy citizen; a skilled workman. See Citation under 3d Commune, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; affectedly severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners. [ 1913 Webster ]

A formal lecture, spoke with prudish face. Garrick. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prudish manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Same as Pruinose. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. pruinosus, fr. pruina hoarfrost. ] Frosty; covered with fine scales, hairs, dust, bloom, or the like, so as to give the appearance of frost. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Frosty; pruinose. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pruned p. pr. & vb. n. Pruning. ] [ OE. proine, probably fr. F. provigner to lay down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See Provine. ] 1. To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune an essay. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

Taking into consideration how they [ laws ] are to be pruned and reformed. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our delightful task
To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cut off or cut out, as useless parts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Horace will our superfluous branches prune. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To preen; to prepare; to dress. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

His royal bird
Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See Plum. ] A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or Turkish prunes; California prunes. [ 1913 Webster ]

German prune (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving, either dried or in sirup. --
Prune tree. (Bot.) (a) A tree of the genus Prunus (Prunus domestica), which produces prunes. (b) The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis. --
South African prune (Bot.), the edible fruit of a sapindaceous tree (Pappea Capensis). [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., perhaps from G. bræune quinsy, croup. ] (Med.) (a) Angina, or angina pectoris. (b) Thrush. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prunella salt (Old Chem.), niter fused and cast into little balls. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., dim. of prune. See Prune, n. ] A kind of small and very acid French plum; -- applied especially to the stoned and dried fruit. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. prunelle, probably so called from its color resembling that of prunes. See Prune, n. ] A smooth woolen stuff, generally black, used for making shoes; a kind of lasting; -- formerly used also for clergymen's gowns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prunelle, dim. of prune. See Prune a plum. ] A species of dried plum; prunelle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who prunes, or removes, what is superfluous. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of beetles whose larvæ gnaw the branches of trees so as to cause them to fall, especially the American oak pruner (Asemum mœstum), whose larva eats the pith of oak branches, and when mature gnaws a circular furrow on the inside nearly to the bark. When the branches fall each contains a pupa. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. prunum a plum + -ferous. ] Bearing plums. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Falconry) That which is cast off by bird in pruning her feathers; leavings. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pruning hook, or
Pruning knife, cutting instrument used in pruning trees, etc. --
Pruning shears, shears for pruning trees, vines, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a plum tree. ] (Bot.) A genus of trees with perigynous rosaceous flowers, and a single two-ovuled carpel which usually becomes a drupe in ripening. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Originally, this genus was limited to the plums, then, by Linnæus, was made to include the cherries and the apricot. Later botanists separated these into several genera, as Prunus, Cerasus, and Armeniaca, but now, by Bentham and Hooker, the plums, cherries, cherry laurels, peach, almond, and nectarine are all placed in Prunus. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. The quality or state of being prurient. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pruriency of curious ears. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a prurience in the speech of some. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. pruries, -entis, p. pr. of prurire to itch. Cf. Freeze. ] Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious curiosity or propensity; lustful. -- Pru"ri*ent*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

The eye of the vain and prurient is darting from object to object of illicit attraction. I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

a. [ L. pruriginosus: cf. F. prurigineux. ] (Med.) Tending to, or caused by, prurigo; affected by, or of the nature of, prurigo. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., an itching, the itch, fr. prurire to itch. ] (Med.) A papular disease of the skin, of which intense itching is the chief symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the healthy cuticle in color. [ 1913 Webster ]