preserve
1. pre.serve \pri-'z*rv\ vb [ME preserven, fr. MF preserver, fr. ML
praeservare, fr. LL,]to observe beforehand, fr. L prae- + servare to keep,
guard, observe - more at CONSERVE 1: to keep safe from injury, harm, or
destruction : PROTECT 2a: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay 2b:
MAINTAIN 3a: to keep or save from decomposition 3b: to can, pickle, or
similarly prepare for future use 4: to keep up and reserve for personal or
special use 1: to make preserves 2: to raise and protect game for
purposes of sport 3: to stand preserving (as by canning) - pre.serv.er n
2. preserve n 1: something that preserves or is designed to preserve 2:
fruit canned or made into jams or jellies or cooked whole or in large pi
eces with sugar so as to keep its shape - often used in pl. 3: an area
restricted for the protection and preservation of animals, trees , or other
natural resources; esp : one used primarily for regulated hunting or
fishing 4: something regarded as reserved for certain persons