I. kən-ˈsərv transitive verb
( 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
II. ˈkän-ˌsərv noun
Date: 15th century
1. : sweetmeat ; especially : a candied fruit
2. : preserve ; specifically : one prepared from a mixture of fruits