[res.er.va.tion] n (15c) 1: an act of reserving something: as a (1): the act or fact of a grantor's reserving some newly created thing out of the thing granted (2): the right or interest so reserved b: the setting of limiting conditions or withholding from complete exposition "answered without ~" c: an arrangement to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's use; also: a promise, guarantee, or record of such engagement
2. a: a limiting condition "agreed, but with ~s" b: doubt, misgiving "had serious ~s about marriage"
3: something reserved: as a: a tract of public land set aside (as for use by American Indians) b: an area in which hunting is not permitted; esp: one set aside as a secure breeding place -- res.er.va.tion.ist n