preserve

preserve [prē zʉrv′, prizʉrv′]

vt.

preserved, preserving [ME preserven < MFr preserver < ML praeservare, to preserve, protect < LL, to observe beforehand < L prae-, PRE- + servare: see OBSERVE]

1. to keep from harm, damage, danger, evil, etc.; protect; save

2. to keep from spoiling or rotting

3. to prepare (food), as by canning, pickling, salting, etc., for future use

4. to keep up; carry on; maintain

5. to maintain and protect (game, fish, etc.) in an area, esp. for regulated hunting or fishing

vi.

1. to preserve fruit, etc.

2. to maintain a game preserve

n.

1. [usually pl.] fruit preserved whole or in large pieces by cooking with sugar: cf. JAM²

2. a place where game, fish, etc. are preserved

3. any place or activity treated as the special domain of some person or group

4. something that preserves or is preserved

preservable

adj.

preserver

n.