0 present participle of preen --
1 If a bird preens or preens itself, it cleans and arranges its feathers using its beak. --
2 to feel very proud or satisfied with yourself because of an action or quality: --
Currently all concerned are preening themselves with delight at the apparently successful outcome of the present arrangements, but a number of questions have to be asked.
Earlier he seemed to be preening himself on the brevity of the regulations but at the end of his comments he seemed to admit that they are not so brief.
I cannot help thinking of the old story about the woman preening herself before a photographer.
Instead of complacently preening themselves they ought to be hanging their heads in shame.
Yet, his successor was at the exhibition yesterday preening himself in front of the cameras.
I even found a heading for him in view of his lovable and endearing characteristic of preening himself.
One of our most urgent security measures is that we should stop preening ourselves on our dispassion.
Indeed, for a long time, we cannot have seen an aging emperor preening himself upon his apparel when he stands stark naked.
