preserve English · revision 7043

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1375|origins=la servo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pɹəˈzɜːv/ ''(UK)''; /pɹəˈzɝv/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English preserven, [[bor|fro|preserver]] and Anglo-Latin preservare,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Medieval Latin praeservāre, from Late Latin [[m|la-lat|praeservo|alt=praeservāre|t=to guard beforehand; to observe]],^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|prae|t=before]] and [[m|la|servo|alt=servāre|t=to keep, guard]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To keep safe from harm: 1375 in the OED, 1392 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To keep alive or in existence is from 1390.^(OED 1989) To prepare fruit or meat by sugar, salt or pickling is from 1579, and to keep organic bodies from decay from 1613.^(OED 1989) To keep game for private hunting or fishing is from 1612.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) The noun first meant a preservative (1550s);^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) fruit preserved with sugar, jam, is from about 1600,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a protected area for game from 1807, extended to any activity reserved for a particular group (''a male preserve'').^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1375 – to keep safe.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1390 – to keep alive.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1552 – a preservative (noun).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1579 – to preserve food.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1600 – preserved fruit.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1807 – a game preserve.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To keep in its original or existing state; to [[maintain]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To keep safe from harm or injury; to [[protect]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To treat food to prevent it from decaying, as by pickling or cooking with sugar.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To keep game or fish for private hunting.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(often plural)'' Fruit preserved with sugar; [[jam]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An area where game or fish are protected.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An activity or area reserved for certain people: ''a male preserve''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[preservability]]

+ * [[preservable]]

+ * [[preserver]]

+ * [[preservation]]

+ * [[cryopreserve]]

+ * [[unpreserved]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[preservative]]

+ * [[conserve]]

+ * [[reserve]]

+ * [[serve]]

+ * [[observe]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}