conserve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to preserve with sugar

   We always conserved the strawberries we grew in the backyard.

2. 2
   verb

   to keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction

   We conserve food for bad times.

3. 3
   verb

   to keep constant through physical or chemical reactions or evolutionary change

   Energy is conserved in this process

4. 4
   noun

   A jam or thick syrup made from fruit.

   I shall […] study broths, plasters, and conserves, till from a fine lady I become a notable woman.

5. 5
   noun

   A conservatory.

   water[…]alwayes placed in the Conserve

6. 6
   verb

   To save for later use, sometimes by the use of a preservative.

   to conserve fruits with sugar

7. 7
   verb

   To protect an environment, heritage, etc.

   Two entrants shared this award for their work on two quite different stations, but with the same purpose of bringing a redundant station building back into use for the benefit of the community, with the added result of conserving an historic building. Saltash Town Council bought Saltash station building after it had become very decrepit and 'an eyesore' - such that it was nearly pulled down to make way for housing.

8. 8
   noun

   fruit preserved by cooking with sugar

Etymology

From Middle English conserven, from Old French conserver, from Latin conservare (“to keep, preserve”), from com- (intensive prefix) + servo (“keep watch, maintain”). See also observe.