prune
verb /pruːn/
/pruːn/
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- to cut off some of the branches from a tree, bush, etc. so that it will grow better and stronger
- prune something When should you prune apple trees?
- He pruned the longer branches off the tree.
- prune something back The hedge needs pruning back.
Extra Examples- Prune the trees hard in the winter.
- The roses had been pruned back severely.
Topics Gardensc2Oxford Collocations DictionaryadverbSee full entry - prune something (back) to make something smaller by removing parts; to cut out parts of something
- Staff numbers have been pruned back to 175.
- The railway companies have pruned their timetables (= there are fewer trains).
- Prune out any unnecessary details.
- Their budgets have been drastically pruned.
Oxford Collocations DictionaryadverbSee full entry Word Originverb late 15th cent. (in the sense ‘abbreviate’): from Old French pro(o)ignier, possibly based on Latin rotundus ‘round’.