Main Entry: ¹con·serve

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsərv\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): con·served; con·serv·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French conserver, from Latin conservare, from com- + servare to keep, guard, observe; akin to Avestan haurvaiti he guards

Date: 14th century

1 : to keep in a safe or sound state <he conserved his inheritance>; especially : to avoid wasteful or destructive use of <conserve natural resources>
2 : to preserve with sugar
3 : to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change <conserved DNA sequences>

— con·serv·er noun