conserve - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Middle English conserven, from Old French conserver, from Latin conservare (“to keep, preserve”), from com- (intensive prefix) + servo (“keep watch, maintain”). See also observe.

Noun

enPR: kŏn'sû(r)v, IPA(key): /ˈkɒnsɜː(ɹ)v/
Rhymes: -ɒnsɜː(ɹ)v

Verb

enPR: kən-sû(r)v', IPA(key): /kənˈsɜː(ɹ)v/
Audio (US); “conserve” (verb): (file)
Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)v

conserve (plural conserves)

Wilderness where human development is prohibited.
A jam or thick syrup made from fruit.
- 1709 August 22 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [_et al._, pseudonyms; Richard Steele _et al._], “Thursday, August 11, 1709”, in The Tatler, number 53; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume I, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC:
  I shall […] study broths, plasters, and conserves, till from a fine lady I become a notable woman.
(obsolete) A medicinal confection made of freshly gathered vegetable substances mixed with finely powdered refined sugar.
(obsolete) A conservatory.
- c. 1700, John Evelyn, Elysium Britannicum:
  water […] alwayes placed in the Conserve

conserve (third-person singular simple present conserves, present participle conserving, simple past and past participle conserved)

(transitive) To save for later use, sometimes by the use of a preservative.
to conserve fruits with sugar
- 1721, John Strype, Ecclesiastical Memorials; Relating Chiefly to Religion, and the Reformation of It, and the Emergencies of the Church of England, under King Henry VIII. King Edward VI. and Queen Mary the First. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] John Wyat, […], →OCLC:
  the amity which […] they meant to conserve and maintain with the emperor
- 1946 January and February, “The Why and The Wherefore: Condensing Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 62:
  Also the Russian lines over which these locomotives run pass through long stretches of waterless country, where the only alternative to hauling additional water-tank wagons is to conserve the water supply by condensing.
(transitive) To protect an environment, heritage, etc.
- 2021 December 15, Robin Leleux, “Awards honour the best restoration projects: The Network Rail Community Award: Saltash and Stow”, in RAIL, number 946, page 58:
  Two entrants shared this award for their work on two quite different stations, but with the same purpose of bringing a redundant station building back into use for the benefit of the community, with the added result of conserving an historic building. Saltash Town Council bought Saltash station building after it had become very decrepit and 'an eyesore' - such that it was nearly pulled down to make way for housing.
(physics, chemistry, intransitive) To remain unchanged during a process