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preserve

[ pri-zurv ]
/ prɪˈzɜrv /
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See synonyms for: preserve / preserved / preserves / preserving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pre·served, pre·serv·ing.
verb (used without object), pre·served, pre·serv·ing.
to preserve fruit, vegetables, etc.; make preserves.
to maintain a preserve for game or fish, especially for sport.
noun
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Origin of preserve

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English preserven, from Medieval Latin praeservāre “to guard” (Late Latin: “to observe”), equivalent to Latin prae- prefix meaning “before, prior to, in advance” (see pre-) + servāre “to watch over, keep, preserve, observe”

synonym study for preserve

2. See defend.

OTHER WORDS FROM preserve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preserve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preserve

preserve
/ (prɪˈzɜːv) /

verb (mainly tr)
noun

Derived forms of preserve

Word Origin for preserve

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin praeservāre literally: to keep safe in advance, from Latin prae- before + servāre to keep safe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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