preserve (n.)

  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

    [ Syn: conserve , conserves , preserves ]

    preserve (v.)

  1. keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last; preserve the peace in the family; continue the family tradition; Carry on the old traditions

    [ Syn: continue , uphold , carry on , bear on ]

  2. keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction; We preserve these archeological findings; The old lady could not keep up the building; children must be taught to conserve our national heritage; The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts

    [ Syn: conserve , maintain , keep up ]

  3. to keep up and reserve for personal or special use; She saved the old family photographs in a drawer

    [ Syn: save ]

  4. prevent (food) from rotting; preserved meats; keep potatoes fresh

    [ Syn: keep ]

  5. maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger; May God keep you

    [ Syn: keep ]

  6. keep undisturbed for personal or private use for hunting, shooting, or fishing; preserve the forest and the lakes'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.