spruce Definition

spruce¹
noun

1. Any of several kinds of evergreen pyramid-shaped trees which have needle-like leaves and which can be distinguished from fir trees by the way their cones point downwards rather than up.
2. The valuable white-grained timber of this tree which is used in the manufacture of paper, boxes, etc and as a source of resin and turpentine.

Etymology: 17c: from Pruce, an obsolete name for Prussia, the former German state which originally supplied the timber.

---

spruce²
adj

1. Neat and smart, especially in appearance and dress.

Thesaurus: neat, trim, tidy, well groomed, dapper, elegant, natty, slick; Antonym: disheveled.

verb

spruced, sprucing
1. To make oneself, someone or something neat and tidy.

Thesaurus: preen, primp, groom, neaten.
Form: spruce up (usually)

Derivative: sprucely
adverb

Derivative: spruceness
noun

Etymology: 16c.