Main Entry: ¹re·serve

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈzərv\

Function: transitive verb

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

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French reserver, from Latin reservare, literally, to keep back, from re- + servare to keep — more at conserve

Date: 14th century

1 a : to hold in reserve : keep back <reserve grain for seed> b : to set aside (part of the consecrated elements) at the Eucharist for future use c : to retain or hold over to a future time or place : defer <reserve one's judgment on a plan> d : to make legal reservation of
2 : to set or have set aside or apart <reserve a hotel room>

synonyms see keep

— re·serv·able \-ˈzər-və-bəl\ adjective