


v. pre·served, pre·serv·ing, pre·serves
1. To keep from injury, peril, or harm; protect. See Synonyms at defend.
2. To keep in perfect or unaltered condition; maintain unchanged: fossils preserved in sediments; a film preserved in the archives.
3. To keep or maintain intact: tried to preserve family harmony.
4. To prepare (food) for storage or future use, as by canning or salting.
5. To prevent (organic bodies) from decaying or spoiling: preserved the specimen in a chemical solution.
a. To protect (wildlife or natural resources) in a designated area, often for regulated hunting or fishing.
b. To maintain (an area) for the protection of wildlife or natural resources.
1. To treat fruit or other foods so as to prevent decay.
2. To maintain an area for the protection of wildlife or natural resources.
1. Something that acts to preserve; a preservative.
2. often preserves Fruit cooked with sugar to protect against decay or fermentation.
3. An area maintained for the protection of wildlife or natural resources.

[Middle English preserven, from Old French preserver, from Medieval Latin praeservāre, from Late Latin, to observe beforehand : Latin prae-, pre- + Latin servāre, to guard, preserve; see ser- in Indo-European roots.]

pre·serv′a·bil′i·ty n.
pre·serv′a·ble adj.
pres′er·va′tion (prĕz′ər-vā′shən) n.
pre·serv′er n.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.preserver - a skilled worker who is employed to restore or refinish buildings or antique furniturepreserver - a skilled worker who is employed to restore or refinish buildings or antique furniture
2.preserver - a cook who preserves fruits or meat
cook - someone who cooks food
salter - someone who uses salt to preserve meat or fish or other foods
3.preserver - someone who keeps safe from harm or danger
defender, guardian, protector, shielder - a person who cares for persons or property
4.preserver - rescue equipment consisting of a buoyant belt or jacket to keep a person from drowningpreserver - rescue equipment consisting of a buoyant belt or jacket to keep a person from drowning
float - something that floats on the surface of water
life buoy, life ring, lifesaver, life belt - a life preserver in the form of a ring of buoyant material
cork jacket, life jacket, life vest - life preserver consisting of a sleeveless jacket of buoyant or inflatable design
rescue equipment - equipment used to rescue passengers in case of emergency
water wings - a life preserver consisting of a connected pair of inflatable bags that fit under a person's arms and provide buoyancy; used by children learning to swim


nRetter(in) m(f)
References in classic literature ?
I am a noble preserver," said the Modern Swain, thoughtfully moving away; "the life that I have saved is indeed mine.
It's like drowning with a life preserver in my reach.
L'Union europeenne (UE) et le Maroc ont exprime, mardi, leur determination a poursuivre leur partenariat strategique, a le preserver et a le renforcer.
Il a aussi indique qu'un conseil ministeriel consacre a la STEG, tenu recemment, a valide un nombre de programmes qui vont etre mis en place en collaboration avec les structures concernees, pour preserver le reseau de production et de distribution et reduire les pertes de la societe de 16,7% actuellement a 12% a l'horizon 2020.