I. pri-ˈzərv verb
( pre·served ; pre·serv·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin praeservare, from Late Latin, to observe beforehand, from Latin prae- + servare to keep, guard, observe — more at conserve
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect
2.
a. : to keep alive, intact, or free from decay
b. : maintain
3.
a. : to keep or save from decomposition
b. : to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use
4. : to keep up and reserve for personal or special use
intransitive verb
1. : to make preserves
2. : to raise and protect game for purposes of sport
3. : to be able to be preserved (as by canning)
• pre·serv·abil·i·ty -ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• pre·serv·able -ˈzər-və-bəl adjective
• pres·er·va·tion ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən noun
• pre·serv·er pri-ˈzər-vər noun
II. noun
Date: 1600
1. : fruit canned or made into jams or jellies or cooked whole or in large pieces in a syrup so as to keep its shape — often used in plural
2. : an area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources (as animals or plants)
a game preserve for regulated hunting or fishing
nature preserve s
3. : something regarded as reserved for certain persons