[a. F. conserve-r:—L. conservāre to preserve, f. con- + servāre to keep, preserve. In some senses our word may be directly taken from the Latin.
In ME. and early mod. Eng. a more common word than preserve, by which it was, however, almost superseded early in the 18th c.; it has again become prevalent in the 19th c., app. under the influence of the cognate conservative, conservation, etc., by which its sense is often colored.]
1. To keep in safety, or from harm, decay, or loss; to preserve with care; now usually, to preserve in its existing state from destruction or change.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 224. Euery kyndely thynge that is Hath a kyndely stede, ther he May best in hyt conserved be.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., 63. The frensshe men … made … their prayers deuoutly that he wolde conserue that day Olyuer.
1566. Abp. Parker, in Gutch, Coll. Cur., II. 275. The said Plate … safely to be conserv’d in your Treasury.
1614. W. Barclay, Nepenthes, in Spalding Club Misc., I. 257. A boxe to conserue my Tobacco, and a pipe to vse it.
1658. Evelyn, Fr. Gard. (1675), 195. You must draw them out of the ground before the frost, and conserve them in a warm place.
1670–98. Lassels, Voy. Italy, II. 38. I saw many cupboards where the manuscripts are conserved.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (ed. 3), I. 400. Colleges of Priests who … conserved knowledge among them with such Secrecy and Care, that [etc.].
1861. Ecclesiologist, XXIII. 303. One ancient lancet window has been carefully conserved.
b. of conditions, institutions, privileges, etc.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1471. My maydenhode thou kepe and wel conserve. Ibid. (c. 1386), Melib., ¶ 671. That youre good name be alway kept and conserved.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Matt. v. 37. Peace cannot be conserved on both sides.
1640. Bp. Hall, Episc., I. iii. 12. They greatly desired to conserve the government of Bishops.
1657. Cromwell, Sp., 21 April (Carlyle). That which will conserve the liberties of every man.
1722. J. Macky, Journ. thro’ Eng., I. 143. Their Mayor … takes an Oath to observe and conserve the Privileges of the University.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, Pref. (1874), 15. If this Conservative Reaction is at hand, what things is it likely to conserve; and still more, what ought it to conserve?
1865. Sat. Rev., 1 March, 279/2. Measures which, while removing its undeniable blots, should conserve the good of the old system.
c. of properties: To preserve unimpaired.
1577. Northbrooke, Dicing (1843), 11. The vessel will conserue the tast Of lycour very long.
1704. Newton, Optics (J.). They will be able to conserve their properties unchanged in passing through several mediums.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 41. Whose heat is conserved by the greatness of their bodies.
1874. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces (ed. 6), 68. Thus force, or energy is not ‘conserved’ but is in gradual progress of neutralisation.
1875. E. White, Life in Christ, I. iii. (1878), 23. Death is followed by the speedy dissipation of the combined elements which formed the organism. The forces are conserved in other forms.
d. Const. to a person, in a state (or with compl.), from injury, etc.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 1665. And whil þat god my wit wol me conserue, I shal so don.
c. 1450. Henryson, Mor. Fab., 45. Mee to conserue then from the Sunnes heat.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 953. Thay swoir on thair swordis swyftlie all thre, And conseruit thame freindis to thair lyfis end.
1485. Caxton, St. Wenefr., 1. To conserue and kepe my virgynyte vndefowled.
1538. Starkey, England, II. ii. 179. Kept and conservyd contynually in helth.
1567. Jewel, Def. Apol. (1611), 572. To conserue the rest of the body whole from your pestiferous contagion.
1590. Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, 19 b. Rubbing their Bowes with a verie little thereof … it did conserve them in all perfection against all weather.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc. (1647), 3. Catholic religion was conserved in Vnity, and integrity.
1694. trans. Milton’s Lett. State (10 Aug. 1649). That you will … conserve inviolable to the Merchants of our Nation their Privileges.
† 2. To preserve or maintain in being or continuous existence; to keep alive or flourishing. Obs.
1413. Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle, IV. xxvii. (1483), 72. The sowle hath power vegetatif and generatif for to conseruen his kynde and multyplyen.
1557. N. T. (Genev.), Epist. We are all susteined and conserued by his vertue that dwelleth in vs.
1670–98. Lassels, Voy. Italy, I. 53. The House of Savoy … came … in the year of Christ 636, and hath conserved itself ever since.
† 3. To keep (a commandment, counsel), observe (a custom or rite). Obs.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., cxii. Se that thou hir hestis well conserve.
1558. T. Watson, Seven Sacraments, viii. 45. The holy Sacrament it self is kept and Conserued in his due honour.
1641. Brome, Joviall Crew, II. Wks. 1873, III. 380. My Master … conserv’d my Counsel.
† 4. To make a substance into a conserve; to preserve in sugar or by similar means. Obs.
1552. Huloet, Conseruise, or any thynge whyche is condite, or conserued, as grapes, barberies, fygges, etc.
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, II. li. 349. By the word conserue or conserued, is to be vnderstood that manner of ordring things, whereby they are stamped, and beaten very small.
1604. Shaks., Oth., III. iv. 75. That Handkerchiefe … was dyde in Mummey, which the Skilfull Conseru’d of Maiden’s hearts [Qq. with the skilful conserves or conserve].
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 133 (T.). Dates, pears, and peaches, curiously conserved.
1755–73. Johnson, Conserve, to candy or pickle fruit.
