v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. store up; keep from harm or damage, esp. for later use.
2 Physics maintain a quantity of (heat etc.).
3 preserve (food, esp. fruit), usu. with sugar.
--n. also 1 fruit etc. preserved in sugar.
2 fresh fruit jam.
Etymology: ME f. OF conserver f. L conservare (as com-, servare keep)