preserve

Meanings

Noun

• A sweet spread made of any of a variety of fruits.
• A reservation, a nature preserve.
• An activity with restricted access.

Verb

• To protect; to keep from harm or injury.
• To save from decay by the use of some preservative substance, such as sugar or salt; to season and prepare (fruits, meat, etc.) for storage.
• To maintain throughout; to keep intact.

Related

Similar words

• jam
• jelly
• marmalade

Origin

• From Middle English preserven, from Old French preserver, from Medieval Latin prēservāre, from Late Latin praeservāre, from prae + servāre.