/ prɪˈzɜːv; NAmE -ˈzɜːrv/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to keep a particular quality, feature, etc.; to make sure that sth is kept :
He was anxious to preserve his reputation.
Efforts to preserve the peace have failed.
2.
[ often passive ] to keep sth in its original state in good condition :
[ vn ]
a perfectly preserved 14th century house
( humorous )
Is he really 60? He's remarkably well preserved .
[ vn - adj ]
This vase has been preserved intact.
3.
[ vn ] to prevent sth, especially food, from decaying by treating it in a particular way :
olives preserved in brine
Wax polish preserves wood and leather.
4.
[ vn ] preserve sb/sth (from sth) to keep sb/sth alive, or safe from harm or danger
SYN save :
The society was set up to preserve endangered species from extinction.
—compare conserve
■ noun
1.
[ sing. ] preserve (of sb) an activity, a job, an interest, etc. that is thought to be suitable for one particular person or group of people :
Football is no longer the preserve of men.
in the days when nursing was a female preserve
2.
[ C , usually pl. , U ] a type of jam made by boiling fruit with a large amount of sugar
3.
[ C , usually pl. , U ] ( especially BrE ) a type of pickle made by cooking vegetables with salt or vinegar
4.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) = reserve (2)
5.
[ C ] an area of private land or water where animals and fish are kept for people to hunt
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense keep safe from harm ): from Old French preserver , from late Latin praeservare , from prae- before, in advance + servare to keep.