/keuhn serr"veuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , n. , pl. conservatories , adj.
n.
1. a school giving instruction in one or more of the fine or dramatic arts; specifically, a school of music.
2. a greenhouse, usually attached to a dwelling, for growing and displaying plants.
3. Archaic. a place where things are preserved.
adj.
4. serving or adapted to conserve; preservative.
[ 1555-65; conserva ( re ) (see CONSERVE) + -TORY 2 ; in the sense "music school" ]