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Verb: preserve  pri'zurv
  1. Keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
    "preserve the peace in the family";
    - continue, uphold, carry on, bear on
     
  2. Keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
    "We preserve these archeological findings";
    - conserve, maintain, keep up
     
  3. To keep up and reserve for personal or special use
    "She preserved the old family photographs in a drawer";
    - save
     
  4. Prevent (food) from rotting
    "preserved meats";
    - keep
     
  5. Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger
    "May God preserve you";
    - keep
     
  6. Keep undisturbed for personal or private use for hunting, shooting, or fishing
    "preserve the forest and the lakes"
Noun: preserve  pri'zurv
  1. A domain that seems to be specially reserved for someone
    "medicine is no longer a male preserve"
     
  2. A reservation where animals are protected
     
  3. Fruit preserved by cooking with sugar
    - conserve, conserves, preserves

Derived forms: preserves, preserved, preserving

Type of: area, arena, confiture, cook, domain, field, fix [informal], hold, hold on, keep, maintain, make, orbit, prepare, protect, ready, reservation, reserve, sphere

Antonym: lay off

Encyclopedia: Preserve