prudence 
He [Heslod] was wonderfully grave, diicreet, and frugal ; 
he lived altogether In the country, and was probably for 
his great prudence the oracle of the whole neighbourhood. 
Addition, On Virgil's Oeorgics. 
Lafayette, who commanded the American forces In the 
province, appears to have shown skill and prudence In 
battling the attempts of Cornwallls to bring on a general 
action. I^ecky, Eng. in 18th Cent., xlv. 
(6) Regard for self-interest; worldly wisdom ; policy. 
Is It your prudence to be inraged with your best friends, 
for adventuring their lives to rescue you from your worst 
enemies? .V. Ward, Simple Cobler, p. 58. 
All the virtues range themselves on the side of prudence, 
or the art of securing a present well being. 
Emerson, Essays, 1st ser., p. 218. 
There is then a Duty of seeking one's own happiness, 
commonly known as the Duty of Prudence. 
II. Sidgwick, Methods of Ethics, p. 304. 
2. Knowledge; science. Compare juriapru- 
tlence. 
In his (Mr. Webster's] profession of politics, nothing, I 
think, worthy of attention had escaped him ; nothing of 
the ancient or modern prudence. 
R. Choate, Addresses, p. 285. 
= Syn. 1. Discretion, Providence, etc. (see wwrfojn), Judi- 
ciousness, care, considerateness, caution, circumspection, 
judgment, wariness. 
prudencyt (pro'den-si), . [As prudence (see 
-c#).] Same as prudence. 
marueiloiis political!, & princely vrudencie, In time 
of peace to foresee and preuent . . . all possible malice I 
HaUuyt's Voyages, \. 1. 
prudent (pro'dent), a. [< ME. prudent, < OF. 
prudent, F. prudent = Sp. Pg. It. pntdente, < L. 
pntden(t-)s, foreseeing, prudent, contr. from 
providfii(t-)s, foreseeing, provident: see provi- 
dent.'] 1. Thoughtful; judicious; sagacious; 
sensible. 
A Folititian very prudent, and much Inured with the 
priuat and publique affaires. 
Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 2. 
But that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust 
ho hath in quarrelling, 'tis thought among the prudent 
he would quickly have the gift of a grave. 
Shak., T. N., i. 3. 34. 
The age in which we live claims, and In some respects 
deserves, the praise of being active, prudent, and practical. 
Gladstone, Might of Right, p. 297. 
2. Careful of self-interest ; provident ; politic ; 
worldly-wise. 
The prudent man looketh well to his going. 
Prov. xiv. 15. 
So steers the prudent crane 
Her annual voyage, borne on winds. 
Milton, P. L, viL 480. 
3. Discreet; circumspect; decorous. 
Friend Pope ! be prudent, let your Muse take breath, 
And never gallop Pegasus to death. 
Pope, Imlt. of Horace, I. i. 18. 
To wish thee fairer is no need, 
More prudent, or more sprightly. 
Cotrpcr, Poet's New- Year's Gift. 
The prudent partner of his blood 
Lean'd on him, faithful, gentle, good, 
Wearing the rose of womanhood. 
Tennyson, Two Voices. 
4. Judicious; wise; prudential. 
A Life which, if not fenc'd by prudent Fears 
And Jealousies, its own self overthrows. 
J. Beaumont, Psyche, iv. 8. 
According as his conduct tended to self-conservation or 
the reverse it might be termed prudent or imprudent, but 
a wicked or righteous act would be impossible. 
C. Mercier, Mind, X. 7. 
= Syn. Careful, circumspect, etc. See cautioui. 
prudential (prtj-den'shal), and [= Sp. Pg. 
prudential = It. prudenziale, < L. prudentia, 
prudence: see prudence."] I. a. 1. Involving 
prudence ; characterized or prescribed by pru- 
dence: as, prudential motives; prudential con- 
siderations. 
My resentment . . . was by this time pretty much cooled, 
and restrained by pntdential reasons so effectually that I 
never so much as thought of obtaining satisfaction for the 
injuries he had done me. Smollett, Roderick Random, vil. 
Considering tilings in a prudential Hght,perhap8 I was 
mistaken. Goldsmith, The Bee, No. 4. 
His great excellence was his sound understanding and 
solid judgment in prude ntial matters, both in private and 
public affairs. /.'. Franklin, Autobiog., p. 15. 
There may be ... a prudential genius, as well as a 
mathematical or a musical genius; the fact of Intense 
persistence in idea of the characteristic impressions of the 
department being common to all. 
A. Bain, Emotions and Will, p. 477. 
2. Exercising prudence; hence, advisory; dis- 
cretionary: as, a prudential committee (a com- 
mittee having discretionary charge of various 
affairs of a society). 3. Instructed; scientific. 
Such In kind ... Is the additional power you give to 
labor by improving the intellectual and prudential charac- 
ter hich informs and guides it. 
U. Choate, Addresses, p. 121. 
II. >i. That which demands the exercise of 
prudence : a matter for prudence. 
4800 
Many stanzas In poetic measures contain rules relating 
to common prudential*, as well as to religion. Watte. 
prudentialist (prij-den'shal-ist), n. [< pruden- 
tial + -ist.] One who acts from or is governed 
by prudential motives. Coleridge. (Imp. Diet.) 
prudentiality (pr^-den-shi-al'i-ti), n. [< pru- 
dential + -ity.] The quality of being pruden- 
tial, or characterized by prudence. 
Being uncapable . . . rightly to judge the prudentiality 
of affairs, they ouely gaze upon the visible success. 
Sir T. Btmcne, Vulg. Err., I. 3. 
prudentlally (prfj-den'shal-i), adc. In con- 
formity with prudence ; prudently. 
I know not how any honest man can charge his con- 
science In prudentiaUy conniving at such falsities. 
l>r. a. More, Enthusiasm, il. 47. 
prudently (pr6'dent-li), adv. In a prudent 
manner; with prudence or discretion; judi- 
ciously. 
Accordingly Virgil has prudently joined these two to- 
gether, accounting him happy who knows the causes of 
things, and has conquered all his fears. 
llueim, Physical Fables, il., Expl. 
prudery (pro'de-ri), H. [< F. prudtrie, prudery, 
< prude, a prud'e: see prude.'] The quality or 
character of being prudish; extreme propriety 
in behavior; affected coyness or modesty; prim- 
ness. 
Mrs. Lou. The world begins to see your prudery. 
Mrs. /Vim. Prudery I What ! do they invent new words 
as well as new fashions? Ah ! poor fantastlck age, I pity 
thee. Mrs. CenUims, Bold Stroke for a Wife, if. 
What is prudery > TIs a beldam 
Seen with wit and beauty seldom. Pope. 
I would send to my friend Clara, but that I doubt her 
prudery would condemn me. Sheridan, The Duenna, i. 5. 
A Frenchman, whatever be his talents, has no sort of 
prudery in showing them. 
Sterne, Sentimental Journey, p. 45. 
They thanked God in their hearts that they had a coun- 
try to sell ; they were determined to sell It at the highest 
figure ; but reserve was decent and profitable, and prudery 
haggled for its price. Westminster Ren., CXXVIII. 812. 
prud'homme (prii-dom'), . [F., < OF. preud- 
lioni, prodhom, prodhoem, prodom, proddom, 
preudon, preudomme, preudome, prodomme, etc., 
l>\.preudo>nes,pretidenhoinen, proudcs homes, etc., 
a good or discreet man, a skilful or expert man, 
< preu, prud, prod, etc., good, excellent (see 
prow%), + lunar, hiinnnc, man, < L. homo, man: 
see Homo. Cf. OF.preudffcnime, a good or dis- 
creet woman.] A discreet man; specifically, 
in France, a member of a tribunal composed 
of masters aud workmen, especially charged 
with the arbitration of trade disputes. Such 
tribunals existed from the time of the later middle ages, 
and have been reorganized in the present century. Such 
a council was constituted at Lyons in 1806, and several 
others have been created since. 
The prudhojnmes were arrayed at every election, at every 
hustings, against the lesser folk. 
W. J. Lnftic, Hist. London, v. 
prudish (pro'dish), a. [< prude + -foftl.] 1. 
Having the character or manner of a prude ; 
affecting extreme propriety of behavior; also, 
characteristic of a prude; prim. 
I know you all expect, from seeing inf, 
Some formal lecture, spoke with prudish face. 
Garrick, Prologue. 
The moon, whether prudish or complaisant, 
Has fled to her bower. Keats, Song. 
2. Excessively formal or precise ; rigid; stiff; 
severe. 
There was a parlor In the house, a room 
To make you shudder with its prudish gloom. 
Lowell, Fitz Adam's Story. 
A verse not fettered In Its movements, or prudish In its 
expressions, but Protean in the forms it can assume, pass- 
ing naturally from grave to gay. 
Edinburgh Ret., CLXin. 133. 
prudishly (prS'dish-li), adv. In a prudish man- 
ner. 
prudishness (pro'dish-nes), n. Same as pru- 
dery. 
pruinate (pro'i-nat), a. [< L. pruina, hoar- 
frost, rime, also snow, + -ate 1 .'] Same as prtii- 
nose. 
pruinescence (pro-i-nes'ens), n. [< Ii. pruina, 
hoar-frost, + -escence.']' In zool., hoariness; 
the quality or condition of being pruinose. 
pruinose (pro'i-nos), a. [= It. pruinoxo, < L. 
l>ruinosus, frosty, rimy, < pruina, hoar-frost.] 
Covered with a 'bloom or powder so as to ap- 
pear as if frosted : said of some plant-surfaces 
dusted with a fine granular secretion. 
pruinous (pro'i-nus), a. Same as pruinose. 
prune 1 (pron), . [< F. prune = Sp. Pg.jimtio 
= It. pruno, < li.prunum, a plum,prns, plum- 
tree, < Or. irpovvov. a plum, irpovvof, plum-tree, 
earlier vpovuvov, plum, w/jov/ivr/, plum-tree : see 
plttml,] 1. A plum; in recent usage (espe- 
prunel 
dally in the western United States), a plum 
suitable to be dried as a prune. 
The damask prune rather blndeth than lowseth, and U 
more commodious vutn the stomake. 
Sir T. Elyot, Castle of Health, ii. 27. (Richardson.) 
2. The dried fruit of one of several varieties of 
the common plum-tree. The most highly reputed 
prunes are produced In the valley of the Loire, from the 
St. Jullen and other varieties of plum, the very fluent be- 
ing known as French plums. There is a large and increas- 
ing production of prunes in California, the variety of plum 
chiefly grown for that purpose being identical or nearly 
so with that employed In France, while the myrobalan 
variety is the accepted grafting stock. Prunes are pro- 
duced also In Spain and Portugal. German prunes are 
largely produced, though of second quality. Bosnia and 
Servia export large quantities. Prunes are stewed as a 
sauce, or otherwise prepared, and are valued for their nu- 
tritious, demulcent, and laxative properties. 
I must have saffron to colour the warden pie*; . . . 
four pound of prune*, and as many of raisins o' the sun. 
Shak., W. T., iv. 8. 51. 
Wild Prune. See Pappea. 
prune-* (pron), r. ; pret. and pp. pruned, ppr. 
pruning. [Early mod. E. also proin, proyn; 
also preen (prob. due in part to confusion with 
preenl); < ME. pruneti, proinen, proynen, trim 
or adorn oneself, prob. also in the sense of 
' trim trees,' ' take a cutting from a vine,' < OF. 
proignier, proognier, prougntr, progner, prcu- 
gner, prooingnier, contr. of protigner, F. pro- 
vigner (> E. protine), lay (a slip or cutting of 
a vine), layer, propagate, multiply, < proriii, 
provain, F. prorin = It. propagyine, a slip or 
cutting of a vine, a layer, sucker, < L. propago 
(propagin-), a layer, sucker: see propayo, prop- 
agate. Cf. provine.~\ I. trans. 1. To lop su- 
perfluous twigs or branches from (a vine, bush, 
or tree); trim with a knife. 
What Vine, if It be not proi/ned, bringeth foorth Grapes? 
Lylil, Euphues, Anat. of Wit, p. 127. 
But, poor old man, thou prttneitt a rotten tree, 
That cannot so much as a blossom yield 
In lieu of all thy pains and husbandry. 
Shak., As you Like it, U. 3. 08. 
2. To lop off as superfluous or injurious ; re- 
move by cutting. 
Do men proine 
The straight young boughs that blush with thousand blos- 
soms, 
Because they may be rotten? 
Fletcher (and another), Two Noble Kinsmen, ill. rt. 
3. To clear from anything superfluous; remove 
what is superfluous or objectionable from. 
Laws . . . are to be pruned and reformed from time to 
time. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, ii. 
4. To dress or trim, as birds their feathers; 
preen : also used figuratively. 
Ne dare she proin hir plumes again, 
But feares a second flight, 
Gascoiyne, Phllomene (ed. Arber), p. 98. 
His royal bird 
Prunes the immortal wing, and cloys his beak. 
Shak., Cymbellne, v. 4. 118. 
Where I sit and priiyne my wings 
After flight. B. Joiaon, Cnderwoods, v. 
Neither doe I know anything wherein a man may more 
improue the reuenues of his learning, or make greater 
show with a little, decking and pruning himselfe with 
Iwrrowed feathers, than in this matter of the Creation. 
Purchat, Pilgrimage, p. ti. 
II. intrans. 1. To lop off superfluous twigs 
or branches, as from a vine, bush, or tree. 
A good husbandman is ever proyning and stirring In his 
vineyard ; he ever findeth somewhat to do. Bacon. 
With plenty where they waste, some others touch'd with 
want : 
Here set, and there they sow ; here proin, and there they 
plant. Draytoti, Polyolbion, ill 358. 
2. To arrange or dress the feathers with the 
bill: said of birds, and also used figuratively. 
And, efter this, the blrdis everichone 
Take up ane other sang full loud and clere ; 
We praline and play without dout and dangere, 
All clothit in a soyte fall fresch and newe. 
King's Quair, II. 45. (Jamieton. ) 
A hawk proinei when she fetches oil with her beak over 
her tall. Markham. (UatKvM.) 
Every scribbling man 
. . . grows a fop as fast as e'er he can, 
Prunes up, and asks his oracle the glass, 
If pink or purple best become his face. 
Dryden, All for Love, Epil., 1. IS. 
Pruneae (prS'ne-e), n. pi. [NL. (Bentham and 
Hooker, 1865),' < Primus + -tee.'] A tribe of 
rosaceous plants, characterized by the drupa- 
ceous fruit, numerous stamens in a complete 
ring, and a single pistil with one subterminal 
style and two pendulous ovules. It Includes 5 
genera, of which Pninus is the type. (See also Xuttallia. ) 
They are trees and shrubs, natives chiefly of northern tem- 
perate regions, including most of the drupes among the 
edible fruits, and sometimes known as the plum family, 
sometimes as the almond family. Also called Drupacese 
(A. P. de Candolle, 1805) and Amygdalete (Jussleu, 1789). 
See cuts under almond-tree, Prunus, apricot, and corymb. 
prunelt (prij-nel'), n. Same as prunella 2 . 
