conserve

American  

[kuhn-surv, kon-surv, kuhn-surv] / kənˈsɜrv, ˈkɒn sɜrv, kənˈsɜrv /

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.

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noun

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

conserve British  

verb

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

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

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of conserve

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

Example Sentences

"Their momenta are not scattered but simply exchanged between collision partners. Each atom's momentum remains conserved -- it can only be passed on, never lost."

From Science Daily

The equations that describe how a quantum system evolves over time must conserve total probability, which always adds up to one, and they must allow processes to be reversed.

From Science Daily

The government has been forced to cut subsidies on fuel prices to conserve funds needed to help the poorest.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead of responding constantly, neurons conserved their activity for moments that required attention, leading to more accurate responses.

From Science Daily

Often called the first modern president, TR expanded the office’s power and influence, wielding his clout to conserve public land, regulate corporations and bolster America’s status as a world power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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