R ˌrezərˈvāshən or sometimes -zəˈv- by r- dissimilation, -R -zəˈv- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English reservacioun, from Middle French reservation, from reserver to reserve + -ation
1. : an act of reserving something (as for a particular use or the use of a particular person or group)
reservation of rights by the states
as
a. Christian religion
(1) : retention of tithes
(2) : retention of the right of nomination to a vacant benefice
(3) : retention of the power of absolution in particular cases
(4) : retention of a portion of the eucharistic elements for adoration by those worshiping at the church or for the administration of communion to the sick
b.
(1) : the act or fact of a grantor's reserving some new thing out of the thing granted and not in esse as such before ; also : the right or interest so reserved or the clause by which it is reserved — distinguished from exception
(2) : exception 4b, proviso
c.
(1) obsolete : a keeping concealed of something pertinent : a holding back
(2) : the setting of limiting conditions or withholding from complete exposition
answered without reservation
d. : an engaging in advance of some accomodation or service
the reservation of a hotel room
also : a promise, guarantee, or record of such engagement
it is advisable to telegraph for reservations
2. : something that is reserved: as
a.
(1) : a limiting condition : limitation
agreed with several reservations to their plan
(2) obsolete : something kept hidden : a deceptively expressed statement (as an answer)
b.
(1) : a tract of public land set aside for a particular purpose (as schools, forest, or the use of Indians)
(2) : an area in which hunting is not permitted ; especially : one set aside as a secure breeding place for game birds or mammals
Synonyms: see condition
•
- off the reservation