preserve

/pri'zə:v/
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Thân thiện
preserve

The family enjoys strawberry preserve on their morning toast.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A sweet food made by cooking fruit with sugar: A type of spread or condiment, often used on bread or toast.
    • An area of land or water where animals, fish, or plants are protected: A designated space, such as a nature reserve, where wildlife is conserved.
    • An activity or domain regarded as being reserved for a particular person or group: A sphere of activity or interest considered to belong exclusively to a specific type of person.
  2. Verb:

    • To maintain something in its original or existing state: To keep something safe from harm, decay, or loss.
    • To keep food from decaying: To treat or prepare food so that it can be stored for a long time.
    • To keep an area or activity for a particular purpose: To maintain a place, such as a forest or hunting ground, in a protected state.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • She spread some strawberry preserve on her toast.
    • The wildlife preserve is home to many endangered species.
    • Gourmet cooking is no longer the preserve of professional chefs.
  • Verb:

    • We must preserve these ancient manuscripts for future generations.
    • The meat was preserved by salting and drying.
    • The family worked to preserve the forest on their property.
Advanced Usage
  • "to preserve the peace": to maintain a state of calm and prevent conflict.

    • The police were called in to preserve the peace during the protest.
  • "to preserve one's dignity": to maintain one's self-respect and avoid humiliation.

    • Despite the criticism, she managed to preserve her dignity.
  • "to preserve a memory": to keep a recollection alive or intact.

    • He took a photograph to preserve the memory of that day.
Variants and Related Words
  • Preservation (n): The act or process of keeping something safe from damage or decay.

    • The preservation of historical sites is important for cultural heritage.
  • Preservative (n): A substance used to prevent food or other materials from decaying.

    • This juice contains no artificial preservatives.
  • Preserver (n): A person or thing that preserves something.

    • He is a preserver of local folklore and traditions.
Synonyms
  • Conserve: To protect something from harm or destruction, especially the environment or resources.
  • Maintain: To cause something to continue; to keep in an existing state.
  • Uphold: To maintain or support a custom, tradition, or principle.
  • Retain: To continue to have something; to keep possession of.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Preserve" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms
  • A preserve of the elite: An activity or place considered to be only for wealthy or privileged people.

    • Private members' clubs were once the preserve of the elite.
  • In a state of perfect preservation: Kept in excellent, unchanged condition over time.

    • The ancient vase was found in a state of perfect preservation.
preserve

The family enjoys strawberry preserve on their morning toast.

Noun
  1. fruit preserved by cooking with sugar
  2. a reservation where animals are protected
  3. a domain that seems to be specially reserved for someone
    • medicine is no longer a male preserve
Verb
  1. keep undisturbed for personal or private use for hunting, shooting, or fishing
    • preserve the forest and the lakes
  2. maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger
    • May God keep you
  3. prevent (food) from rotting
    • preserved meats
    • keep potatoes fresh
  4. to keep up and reserve for personal or special use
    • She saved the old family photographs in a drawer
  5. keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
    • We preserve these archeological findings
    • The old lady could not keep up the building
    • children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
    • The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
  6. keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
    • preserve the peace in the family
    • continue the family tradition
    • Carry on the old traditions