Pre*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preserved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Preserving.] [F. pr'eserver, from L. prae before + servare to save, preserve; cf. L. praeservare to observe beforehand. See Serve.]
1.
To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect.
O Lord, thou preserved man and beast.
Ps. xxxvi. 6.
Now, good angels preserve the king.
Shak.
2.
To save from decay by the use of some preservative substance, as sugar, salt, etc.; to season and prepare for remaining in a good state, as fruits, meat, etc.; as, to preserve peaches or grapes.
You can not preserve it from tainting.
Shak.
3.
To maintain throughout; to keep intact; as, to preserve appearances; to preserve silence.
To preserve game, to protect it from extermination.
Syn. -- To keep; save; secure; uphold; sustain; defend; spare; protect; guard; shield. See Keep.
© Webster 1913.
Pre*serve", v. i.
1.
To make preserves.
Shak.
2.
To protect game for purposes of sport.
© Webster 1913.
Pre*serve", n.
1.
That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; -- commonly in the plural.
2.
A place in which game, fish, etc., are preserved for purposes of sport, or for food.
© Webster 1913.