n.
Pronunciation: ri- ' z ə rv
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: 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 \ - ' z ə r-v ə -b ə l \ adjective