In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
PREENING
Verb
preening
present participle of preen
Noun
preening (plural preenings)
A grooming or posturing.
Source: Wiktionary
PREEN
Preen, n. Etym: [AS. preĂłn a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prjonn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.]
Definition: A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.
Preen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened; p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] Etym: [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.
2. To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
17 June 2025
RECREANT
(adjective) having deserted a cause or principle; “some provinces had proved recreant”; “renegade supporters of the usurper”
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