preservative

American  

[pri-zur-vuh-tiv] / prɪˈzɜr və tɪv /

noun

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve.

2. a chemical substance used to preserve foods or other organic materials from decomposition or fermentation.

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adjective

1. tending to preserve.

preservative British  

/ prɪˈzɜːvətɪv /

noun

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve, esp a chemical added to foods to inhibit decomposition

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adjective

1. tending or intended to preserve

Other Word Forms

• nonpreservative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of preservative

1350–1400; Middle English (adj. and noun) < Middle French preservatif (adj.) < Medieval Latin praeservātīvus. See preserve, -ative

Explanation

Anything that's preservative keeps things alive, healthy, or fresh. Some cooks swear by the preservative powers of lemon juice, which can keep fruit tasting fresh and save avocado slices from turning brown. Use preservative as an adjective — or a noun, for a chemical or other substance that keeps something from dying or breaking down. Food preservatives are sometimes added to make edible things last longer, and to items like medication and cosmetics, so they don't decay before you've finished using them. Preservative followed the verb preserve, which in the fourteenth century meant "to keep something safe."

Example Sentences

For treating leather boots, our staff at Wirecutter likes Obenauf’s Heavy Duty Leather Preservative.

From Slate • Nov. 9, 2018

Patrick Smith's Preservative against Quakerism and The Faith and Practice of a Church of England Man, missionaries carried with them local helps such as Bishop Wilson's Essay Towards the Instruction of the Indians.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Preservative Paste now comes into requisition, and with this the skull and orbits are well painted inside and out.

From Practical Taxidermy A manual of instruction to the amateur in collecting, preserving, and setting up natural history specimens of all kinds. To which is added a chapter upon the pictorial arrangement of museums. With additional instructions in modelling and artistic taxidermy. by Browne, Montagu

This work is in one folio volume, and all I can ascertain of its authorship is that it was not written by Bishop Gibson, of "Preservative" fame.

From Notes and Queries, Number 208, October 22, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

Cork of Ink-bottle with Wad for Preservative 56 19.

From Wood-Block Printing A Description of the Craft of Woodcutting and Colour Printing Based on the Japanese Practice by Fletcher, F. Morley (Frank Morley)

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