PREENING Meaning and
Definition
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Preening is a verb that refers to the grooming and maintenance behaviors exhibited by birds to clean, arrange, and groom their feathers. It involves the bird using its beak to comb through its feathers, removing dirt, dust, and parasites while reshaping and aligning the feathers for optimal aerodynamic efficiency and insulation.
Preening is an essential activity for birds as it helps to maintain the integrity of their feathers, ensuring they remain clean, insulating, and functional for flight and protection. The process also aids in the distribution of natural oils produced by preen glands located near the base of their tails, which the bird spreads across its feathers during preening, enhancing feather durability and water resistance.
During preening, birds often engage in a series of distinct actions, such as extending and stretching their wings, scratching their bodies with their beak, arranging feathers using their bill, and shaking or flapping their wings. They may also use their feet to scratch hard-to-reach areas.
Preening is not solely a functional behavior but also serves social and communicative purposes. Birds may engage in mutual preening with their mates or flock members as a bonding activity, reinforcing social connections, and expressing trust and affiliation.
Overall, preening is a vital and complex behavior in the avian world, serving multiple purposes ranging from hygiene and plumage maintenance to social bonding and communication.
Common Misspellings for PREENING
Etymology of PREENING
The word "preening" comes from the Old English verb "prēonan", which means "to adorn or deck oneself out". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "preunōną", which also means "to adorn oneself". The origin of this word is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to the Proto-Germanic word "*fraujaną", meaning "to celebrate" or "to rejoice", ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root "*prew-" meaning "to jump". Over time, the meaning of "preening" has evolved to refer specifically to the behavior of birds cleaning and grooming their feathers.
Conjugate verb Preening
CONDITIONAL
I
would preen
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FUTURE
I
will preen
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FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have preened
we
will have preened
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PAST
I
preened
we
preened
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preened
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preened
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preened
PAST PERFECT
I
had preened
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had preened
PRESENT
I
preen
we
preen
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preen
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preens
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preen
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have preened
we
have preened
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have preened
he/she/it
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have preened
I
am preening
we
are preening
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are preening
he/she/it
is preening
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I
was preening
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were preening
he/she/it
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I
will be preening
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I
have been preening
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have been preening
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I
had been preening
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had been preening
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had been preening
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had been preening
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had been preening
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will have been preening
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will have been preening
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will have been preening
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would have preened
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would be preening
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would have been preening
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would have been preening
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