From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Prude \Prude\, noun [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}, adjective, {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) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum [syn: {puritan}]
From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:
PRUDE, noun A bawd hiding behind the back of her demeanor.
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