Conserver

[f. as prec. + -ER¹.]

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1. One who conserves (see the vb.); a preserver.

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1562. Bulleyn, Bk. Simples (1579), 75. Y^e conseruers and kepers of health, should study that, etc.

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1588. Thanksgiving, in Liturg. Serv. Q. Eliz. (1847), 622. Most omnipotent Creator, Redeemer, and Conserver.

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a. 1698. Temple, Ess. Learn., Wks. 1731, I. 153. The Priests … having been … the perpetual Conservers of Knowledge.

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1841. Emerson, Lect., Conservative, Wks. (Bohn), II. 265. We are … reformers in the morning, conservers at night.

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1869. Contemp. Rev., XII. 271. Obstructive Conservatives, or the Conservers of Death.

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b. Said of a thing.

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1605. Timme, Quersit., II. ii. 110. This vital heate … is the repairer and conserver of life.

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1647. May, Hist. Parl., II. iv. 61. Liberty … violated by that Court which is the onely defence and conserver of it.

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1657. S. W., Schism Dispach’t, 131. A Church … is to be a conserver of Faith.

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† 2. = CONSERVATORY 4. Obs. rare^–1.

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1590. J. Melvill, Serm., in Diary (1842), 282. All thair Conservars and cisterns of water.

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3. ‘A preparer of conserves’ (J.).

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