PRESERVE, verb transitive prezerv'. [Low Latin proeservo; proe and servo, to keep.] 1. To keep or save from injury or destruction; to defend from evil. God did send me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5. O Lord, preserve me from the violent man. Psalms 140:1. 2. To uphold; to sustain. O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. Psalms 36:6. 3. To save from decay; to keep in a sound state; as, to preserve fruit in winter. Salt is used to preserve meat. 4. To season with sugar or other substances for preservation; as, to preserve plums, quinces or other fruit. 5. To keep or defend from corruption; as, to preserve youth from vice. PRESERVE, noun preserv'. Fruit or a vegetable seasoned and kept in sugar or sirup.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI