conserve

[kuhn-surv, kon-surv, kuhn-surv]

verb (used with object)

conserved, conserving 

1. to prevent injury, decay, waste, or loss of.

   Conserve your strength for the race.

2. to use or manage (natural resources) wisely; preserve; save.

   Conserve the woodlands.

   Synonyms: safeguard, husband

3. Physics, Chemistry.,  to hold (a property) constant during an interaction or process.

   the interaction conserved linear momentum.

4. to preserve (fruit) by cooking with sugar or syrup.

noun

1. Often conserves. a mixture of several fruits cooked to jamlike consistency with sugar and often garnished with nuts and raisins.

conserve

verb

1. to keep or protect from harm, decay, loss, etc

2. to preserve (a foodstuff, esp fruit) with sugar

noun

1. a preparation of fruit in sugar, similar to jam but usually containing whole pieces of fruit

Other Word Forms

• conserver noun
• nonconserving adjective
• self-conserving adjective
• unconserved adjective
• unconserving adjective
• well-conserved adjective
• conservable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conserve¹

First recorded in 1325–75; (for the verb) Middle English, from Latin conservāre “to save, preserve”; equivalent to con- + serve; (for the noun) Middle English, from Middle French conserve, noun derivative of conserver, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of conserve¹

(vb) C14: from Latin conservāre to keep safe, from servāre to save, protect; (n) C14: from Medieval Latin conserva, from Latin conservāre

Example Sentences

Each of the four major marathons Kipchoge has won—Berlin, Chicago, London and Tokyo—allow for pacers who can help elite runners lock into a groove and conserve energy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

During the study, the bats spent about 89 percent of their time resting to conserve energy.

Read more on Science Daily

"Our findings reveal that while the overall attachment process is conserved across coral species, there are distinct biological differences that influence how quickly and effectively corals secure themselves to the reef," he said.

Read more on Science Daily

Scientists think this solid form of waste evolved as an adaptation to conserve water, a valuable trait for animals that often live in dry environments.

Read more on Science Daily

As well as analysing the painting, the University of Lincoln team has conserved it to its former glory.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• hoard 
• maintain 
• preserve 
• safeguard 
• sustain 
• take care of