v. (ning) 1 a (often foll. by down) trim (a bush etc.) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches etc. b (usu. foil. by off away) lop (branches etc.) thus. 2 reduce (costs etc.) (prune expenses). 3 a (often foil. by oJ) clear or remove superfluities from. b remove (superfluities). [French prooignier from Romanic: related to ROUND]
