[pre.serve] vb pre.served ; pre.serv.ing [ME, fr. MF preserver, fr. ML praeservare, fr. LL, to observe beforehand, fr. L prae- + servare to keep, guard, observe--more at conserve] vt (14c) 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 ~ vi 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 n -- pre.serv.able adj -- pres.er.va.tion n -- pre.serv.er n
[2]preserve n (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 pl.
2: an area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources (as animals or trees); esp: one used primarily for regulated hunting or fishing
3: something regarded as reserved for certain persons