Preserve
/prɪˈzɜːv/noun
To keep something safe from harm or decay, or to maintain it in its original state.
Did you know?Preserve comes through Old French from Latin *praeservare*, literally “to guard in front of,” where *prae-* means “before” and *servare* means “to keep, watch, save.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“to watch over, protect”
Latin
Latin
praeservare
“to guard beforehand, keep safe in advance”
Old French
Old French
preserver
“to protect, keep from harm”
Middle English
English
preserven
“to keep safe, defend, or maintain”
Modern English
English
preserve
“to keep something from harm, decay, or loss”