conserve

Etymology

From Middle English conserven, from Old French conserver, from Latin conservare (“to keep, preserve”), from com- (intensive prefix) + servo (“keep watch, maintain”). See also observe.

noun

1. Wilderness where human development is prohibited.
2. A jam or thick syrup made from fruit.
3. (obsolete) A medicinal confection made of freshly gathered vegetable substances mixed with finely powdered refined sugar.
4. (obsolete) A conservatory.
   water[…]alwayes placed in the Conserve c. 1700, John Evelyn, Elysium Britannicum

verb

1. (transitive) To save for later use, sometimes by the use of a preservative.
   to conserve fruits with sugar
   Also the Russian lines over which these locomotives run pass through long stretches of waterless country, where the only alternative to hauling additional water-tank wagons is to conserve the water supply by condensing. 1946 January and February, “The Why and The Wherefore: Condensing Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 62
2. (transitive) To protect an environment, heritage, etc.
   Two entrants shared this award for their work on two quite different stations, but with the same purpose of bringing a redundant station building back into use for the benefit of the community, with the added result of conserving an historic building. Saltash Town Council bought Saltash station building after it had become very decrepit and 'an eyesore' - such that it was nearly pulled down to make way for housing. December 15 2021, Robin Leleux, “Awards honour the best restoration projects: The Network Rail Community Award: Saltash and Stow”, in RAIL, number 946, page 58
3. (physics, chemistry, intransitive) To remain unchanged during a process