Preserve \Pre*serve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preserved; p. pr. & vb. n. Preserving.]

[F. pr['e]server, from L. prae before + servare to save, preserve; cf. L. praeservare to observe beforehand. See Serve.]

1. To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect.

O Lord, thou preserved man and beast. --Ps. xxxvi. 6.

Now, good angels preserve the king. --Shak.

2. To save from decay by the use of some preservative substance, as sugar, salt, etc.; to season and prepare for remaining in a good state, as fruits, meat, etc.; as, to preserve peaches or grapes.

You can not preserve it from tainting. --Shak.

3. To maintain throughout; to keep intact; as, to preserve appearances; to preserve silence.

To preserve game, to protect it from extermination.

Syn: To keep; save; secure; uphold; sustain; defend; spare; protect; guard; shield. See Keep.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)