# conserve

Pronunciation: say "kuhn-SURV" US /kənˈsɝv/, UK /kənˈsɜːv/

## Verb

1. To save something for later use, sometimes by treating it with a preservative.
   - Simple: To save something so you can use it later.
   - _Campers learn to conserve fuel by cooking only once a day._
   - _The family conserved the fall harvest in jars of vinegar and brine._
2. To protect an environment, a cultural heritage, or other valued things from harm.
   - Simple: To protect nature or important old things so they are not damaged or lost.
   - _The trust raised funds to conserve the medieval cathedral's stained glass._
   - _New state laws conserve wetlands that migratory birds depend on._
4. To remain unchanged during a physical or chemical process.
   - Simple: To stay the same in amount while a process happens.
   - _In an isolated system, total momentum conserves during every collision._
   - _Electric charge must conserve in any reaction, no matter how the particles rearrange._

## Noun

Pronunciation: say "KON-surv" US /ˈkɑnsɝv/, UK /ˈkɒnsɜːv/

3. A jam or thick syrup made by cooking fruit.
   - Simple: A sweet spread made by cooking fruit with sugar, like jam.
   - _She served the scones with clotted cream and a cherry conserve._
   - _The orchard sells small-batch conserves made from late-season plums._
5. An area of wilderness in which human development is prohibited.
   - Simple: An area of wild land that people are not allowed to build on.
   - _The land trust purchased two hundred acres to establish a conserve along the river._
   - _Developers challenged the boundaries of the conserve in court and lost._

## Noun

Pronunciation: say "KON-surv" US /ˈkɑnsɝv/, UK /ˈkɒnsɜːv/

6. A medicinal confection made by mixing freshly gathered plant matter with finely powdered refined sugar. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A medicine people once made by mixing fresh plants with sugar.
   - _The apothecary kept jars of rose conserve on hand for inflamed throats._
   - _Her physician prescribed a conserve of violets to lift her spirits._
7. A conservatory; a glassed structure in which plants are sheltered and grown. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A glass building where plants are kept safe and warm.
   - _The estate's conserve sheltered orange trees through the harsh northern winters._
   - _She wintered her tender plants in the conserve beside the south wall._

## Origin

It comes from Middle English conserven, from Old French conserver, from Latin conservare ("to keep, preserve"), built from the intensive prefix com- and servo ("keep watch, maintain").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/conserve (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).