I. prēˈzərv, prə̇ˈ-, -zə̄v, -zəiv verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English preserven, from Middle French preserver, from Medieval Latin praeservare, from Late Latin, to observe, from Latin prae- pre- + servare to keep, guard — more at conserve
transitive verb
1. : to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : guard or defend from evil : protect , save
thornbushes … are preserved by superstition — O.S.J.Gogarty
their knowledge of the Marxist conspiracy should be put to use to preserve the republic — Howard Rushmore
2.
a. : to keep alive, intact, in existence, or from decay
preserve an old house
the right of trial by jury shall be preserved — U.S. Constitution
among the deeds preserved in the courthouse — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
b. : to retain in one's possession
preserve my shaky dignity — Reginald Kell
preserved their detachment — Dexter Perkins
c. : maintain
preserve a correspondence
3.
a. : to keep or save from decomposition (as by refrigeration, curing, or treating with a preservative)
preserve specimens or skins to be stuffed
preserve milk indefinitely
b. : to can, pickle, or similarly prepare (as fruits or vegetables) for future use
preserve peaches
4. : to keep up and reserve for personal or special use
preserve game or fish by raising and protecting it
preserve a stream or field
intransitive verb
1. : to remain fresh or in its original state : keep
2. : to make preserves
3. : to raise and protect game for purposes of sport
4. : to endure or stand the process of preservation (as by canning or pickling)
duck eggs do not preserve satisfactorily — F.D.Smith & Barbara Wilcox
II. noun
( -s )
1. : something that preserves or is designed to preserve ; specifically : goggle 2
2.
a. : fruit canned or made into jams or jellies
black-currant preserve
— often used in plural
b. : fruit cooked whole or in large pieces with sugar so as to keep its shape
quince preserve
— often used in plural
strawberry preserves
3. : an area (as a tract of land or body of water) restricted for the protection and preservation of animals, trees, or other natural resources
our Adirondack mountains with their enormous forest preserve — Averell Harriman
a wildlife preserve
especially : one used primarily for regulated hunting or fishing : reserve
a state game preserve
— compare sanctuary 4
4. : something (as a place, occupation, or sphere of activity) that is sacred to or reserved exclusively for certain persons
regarded the diplomatic service as a preserve for their younger sons — G.B.Shaw
translation … has been the preserve of scholarly jargonists — Dudley Fitts
recognizing … the Baltic states as a Soviet preserve — Times Literary Supplement