Crossword clues for preening
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Preen \Preen\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened; p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] [See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.]
To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds.
--Derham.To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.Hence: To dress (oneself) carefully or stylishly; to primp.
To pride (oneself) on one's accomplishments; to congratulate (oneself).
Wiktionary
n. A grooming or posture. vb. (present participle of preen English)
Usage examples of "preening".
Lessa saw her sunning herself on the Weyr ledge, preening her enormous wings.
Grall and Berd came gliding in to perch on the posts of Brekke's chair, chirping softly and preening their wings.
Those in mid-air seemed to pause, while those who stood preening themselves on the cliffs erupted into sound, bugling and whistling in tones that seemed to Varian both joyous and startled.
The top screen showed her tossing her pretty yellow curls and preening with delight at his compliment.
For her older brothers had always teased her about screeching at the top of her lungs, and showing off and preening herself in public.
A tune about a little fire lizard queen, sitting on a rock in the lapping sea, preening herself for her adoring bronze.
They were preening their wingtips or glancing about the room at all the people, oblivious to the sensation they had just caused.
Then he gave her a real gryphonic gesture of parting, a little preening of her neck hackles.
Skan finished preening the talon, and regarded him with that direct gryphonic gaze.
Makaar weren't flatulent, preening extravagances made by a pretend leader, they were hunters.
How could they finish preening the bureaucrat's fine white feathers, they asked, or buff its long, hooked beak, if it didn't sit still?
There was much head ducking and preening and gesturing toward floating holographic displays, all apparently as much ritualistic as based on fact and reason.
How could they finish preening the bureaucrat’s fine white feathers, they asked, or buff its long, hooked beak, if it didn’t sit still?
Scarlett knew these hurried preenings were being made with an eye toward meeting his wife with the appearance of a gentleman who had ridden sedately home from a call on a neighbor.