preserve
pruh-ZURV
/prɪˈzɜːv/
To maintain something in its original state or protect it from decay, destruction, or oblivion.
Emphasizes active intervention to guard existing qualities or objects against erosion over time.
The story behind the word. Derived from Late Latin 'praeservare', combining 'prae-' (before) and 'servare' (to keep or watch over). It carries the sense of guarding something in advance to prevent any harm or decay from touching it.
Word relationships
- conserve: Conserve often implies careful or economical management of resources; preserve means keeping entirely intact.
- safeguard: Safeguard emphasizes active protection against impending harm or external danger.
- destroy: Destroy means to ruin or eliminate completely, the exact opposite of keeping intact.
- neglect: Neglect means failing to care for something, allowing it to decay.
Commonly confused with
- reserve: Reserve means setting aside for later use; preserve means protecting against decay or loss.
Word family
- preservation (noun): The act or process of keeping something intact or protected.
- preservationist (noun): A person who advocates for saving historical buildings, languages, or natural environments.
- preservative (noun): A substance added to prevent decay or spoilage.
Collocations
- preserve culture
- preserve history
- preserve artifacts
- help preserve
Idioms & expressions
- preserve for posterity
Example sentences
- "The historical society worked tirelessly to preserve the nineteenth-century wooden mill from demolition." Historic preservation
- "Elders established language classes to preserve their native tongue among the village youth." Linguistic survival
Memory hook
PRE (before) + SERVE (guard). Guarding before harm happens. Guard against time and decay.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'reserve' (to hold or book something in advance for future use).
Fun facts
- The Latin root 'servare' also gave us 'reserve', 'conserve', and 'observe'.
Explore more words
preservation, conserve, save, pristine, conservation, untouched
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