conservator

[kuhn-sur-vuh-ter, kon-ser-vey-]

noun

1. a person who conserves or preserves; preserver; protector.

2. a person who repairs, restores, or maintains the condition of objects, as paintings or sculptures in an art museum, or books in a library.

3. Law.,  a guardian; a custodian.

4. British.,  a person employed by a conservancy commission; a conservation worker.

conservator

/ ˈkɒnsəˌveɪtə, kənˈsɜːvə- /

noun

1. a person who conserves or keeps safe; custodian, guardian, or protector

Other Word Forms

• conservatorial adjective
• conservatorship noun
• subconservator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservator¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, equivalent to conservā(re) “to keep safe; preserve” + -tor agent suffix; conserve -tor

Example Sentences

With the fossilised remains of its bones in their hands, conservators Lu Allington-Jones and Kieran Miles expertly assemble the skeleton on to a metal frame.

From BBC

The county Public Guardian serves as a conservator for vulnerable disabled residents, but can’t accept nameless cases.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the fact the painting is unvarnished – meaning it is "open to the environment" – will pose an additional challenge to conservators.

From BBC

Brightman hired Kiernan Graves, a wall-painting conservator who specializes in murals and frescoes, to see what she could find beneath what turned out to be more than nine layers of paint.

From Los Angeles Times

She said it "passed through the hands of experts, conservators, auctioneers, dealers, and collectors from London to Toronto".

From BBC

Related Words

• curator 
• custodian 
• restorer www.thesaurus.com