To cut off branches or parts of a plant to help it grow better or look nicer; more generally, to remove unnecessary parts of something.
From Old French *proignier* or *provignier*, meaning 'to cut back vines'. Over time, English turned this into *prune*, focused on trimming plants and then on trimming ideas or parts in general.
When you prune a tree, you’re hurting it a little to help it a lot. The same idea works for writing, habits, or schedules: cutting extra parts often makes the whole thing stronger.
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