Preserve Definition

prĭ-zûrv
preserved, preserves, preserving
verb
preserved, preserves, preserving
To keep from harm, damage, danger, evil, etc.; protect; save.
Webster's New World
To keep in perfect or unaltered condition; maintain unchanged.
Fossils preserved in sediments; a film preserved in the archives.
American Heritage
To maintain a game preserve.
Webster's New World
To keep from spoiling or rotting.
Webster's New World
To prepare (food), as by canning, pickling, salting, etc., for future use.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
noun
preserves
Fruit preserved whole or in large pieces by cooking with sugar.
Webster's New World
A place where game, fish, etc. are preserved.
Webster's New World
Something that preserves or is preserved.
Webster's New World
Any place or activity treated as the special domain of some person or group.
Webster's New World
An area maintained for the protection of wildlife or natural resources.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Preserve

Noun

Singular:
preserve
Plural:
preserves

Origin of Preserve

  • Middle English preserven from Old French preserver from Medieval Latin praeservāre from Late Latin to observe beforehand Latin prae- pre- Latin servāre to guard, preserve ser-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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