To pride (oneself) on one's accomplishments; to congratulate (oneself).
To dress up neatly and smartly; to make oneself well-groomed and well-dressed.
How birds clean and comb their feathers. They use their bills or beaks to get dirt out of their feathers and to make them lie correctly. Ducks and geese also preen to spread oils on the feathers that will make them waterproof.
vb : to clean and arrange feathers with a beak
To clean or smoothe feathers
clean with one's bill; "The birds preened"
pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement
dress or groom with elaborate care; "She likes to dress when going to the opera"
to clean and repair feathers. During resting and feeding breaks birds use staging ares to preen their feather which should be in perfect condition to function efficiently during flight.
To groom feathers with the beak or feet. Often involves anointing feathers with oil from the uropygial gland.
To clean, smoothe, or arrange the feathers with the beak (refers to birds).
Straightening and dressing the feathers by running them through the beak; one of the signs of contentment and good adjustment in a trained raptor.