n.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' s ə rv
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: con · served ; con · serv · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French conserver, from Latin conservare, from com- + servare to keep, guard, observe; akin to Avestan haurvaiti he guards
Date: 14th century
1 : to keep in a safe or sound state <he conserved his inheritance> especially : to avoid wasteful or destructive use of < conserve natural resources>
2 : to preserve with sugar
3 : to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change < conserved DNA sequences>
– con · serv · er noun