n. (pl. -ies)
1. Brit. a commission etc. controlling a port, river, etc. (Thames Conservancy).
2 a body concerned with the preservation of natural resources (Nature Conservancy).
3 conservation; official preservation (of forests etc.).
Etymology: 18th-c. alt. of obs. conservacy f. AF conservacie f. AL conservatia f. L conservatio (as conserve)