From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Preen \Preen\, n. [AS. pre['o]n a clasp, bodkin; akin to D.
priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prj[=o]nn a
knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.]
A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Preen \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 trees. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
[1913 Webster]
3. Hence: To dress (oneself) carefully or stylishly; to
primp.
[PJC]
4. To pride (oneself) on one's accomplishments; to
congratulate (oneself).
[PJC]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Preen \Preen\, v. i.
To dress up neatly and smartly; to make oneself well-groomed
and well-dressed.
[PJC]
2. To feel proud of one's achievement; to swell or gloat.
[PJC]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
preen
v 1: clean with one's bill; "The birds preened" [syn: {preen},
{plume}]
2: pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement [syn:
{preen}, {congratulate}]
3: dress or groom with elaborate care; "She likes to dress when
going to the opera" [syn: {preen}, {primp}, {plume}, {dress}]
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