Hypertext Webster Gateway: "prude"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Prude \Prude\, n. [F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest;
shortened from OF. prudefeme, preudefeme, a discreet or
excellent woman; OF. preu, prou, excellent, brave + de of +
fete woman. See {Prow}, a., {Prowess}.]
A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is
overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary
prudence in conduct and speech.
Less modest than the speech of prudes. --Swift.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
prude
n : a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
[syn: {puritan}]
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