Prude, n.

[Fr. prude, prudish, originally discreet, modest, O. Fr. prod, prud, f. prode, prude, from Lat. probus, good, proper, excellent, virtuous, but influenced by Lat. prudens, prudent. Cf. Prow.] A woman of affected or over-sensitive modesty or reserve; one who is over-scrupulous or sensitive. “Less modest than the speech of prudes.” Swift.