I. ri-ˈzərv transitive verb
( re·served ; re·serv·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French reserver, from Latin reservare, literally, to keep back, from re- + servare to keep — more at conserve
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : to hold in reserve : keep back
reserve grain for seed
b. : to set aside (part of the consecrated elements) at the Eucharist for future use
c. : to retain or hold over to a future time or place : defer
reserve one's judgment on a plan
d. : to make legal reservation of
2. : to set or have set aside or apart
reserve a hotel room
Synonyms: see keep
• re·serv·able -ˈzər-və-bəl adjective
II. noun
Usage: often attributive
Date: 1648
1. : something reserved or set aside for a particular purpose, use, or reason: as
a.
(1) : a military force withheld from action for later decisive use — usually used in plural
(2) : forces not in the field but available
(3) : the military forces of a country not part of the regular services ; also : reservist
b. : a tract (as of public land) set apart : reservation
2. : something stored or kept available for future use or need : stock
3. : an act of reserving : qualification
4.
a. : restraint, closeness, or caution in one's words and actions
b. : forbearance from making a full explanation, complete disclosure, or free expression of one's mind
5. archaic : secret
6.
a. : money or its equivalent kept in hand or set apart usually to meet liabilities
b. : the liquid resources of a nation for meeting international payments
7. : substitute
8. : reserve price
9. : a wine made from select grapes, bottled on the maker's premises, and aged differently from the maker's other wines of the same vintage
•
- in reserve