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preserve

pre·serve

preserve

 
 
pronunciation:
prih zuhrv
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: preserves, preserving, preserved
definition 1: to protect from injury, harm, or mishap.
Using this polish will help preserve the wood.She prayed that the children would be preserved from harm.
synonyms:
protect, save
similar words:
conserve, defend, guard, hold, safeguard, secure
definition 2: to keep safe from loss.
We don't know how many endangered species can be preserved.Will the court preserve my right to dissent?
 
synonyms:
safeguard
antonyms:
scrap
similar words:
capture, conserve, defend, guard, hold, protect, retain, uphold
definition 3: to maintain in a relatively unchanged condition, esp. historic buildings or wildlife environments.
They're doing what they can to preserve the animal's habitat.
synonyms:
maintain
antonyms:
alter
similar words:
conserve, keep, save
definition 4: to prepare (food) so that it can be kept for a long period of time.
They often preserved meat by preparing it with salt and smoking it.
synonyms:
cure
similar words:
can, corn, dry, jerk, pickle, salt, smoke
definition 5: to prevent decay in (a non-living body or plant).
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to treat fruit or vegetables so as to retard spoilage.
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: (usu. pl.) fruit or vegetables that are preserved in sugar.
She opened a jar of strawberry preserves and spread some on her bread.
synonyms:
conserves, jam
similar words:
jelly, marmalade, sanctuary
definition 2: an area set aside for the protection and propagation of fish, animals, or plant life; nature preserve.
They established a new preserve in the wetlands in hope of reviving certain amphibian species.
 
synonyms:
reserve
similar words:
national park, park, refuge, sanctuary
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derivations: preservable (adj.), preservation (n.), preserver (n.)
Word Explorer
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  conservation, endangered species, extinction, food, forest, fruit, natural resources, vegetable
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