To keep in perfect or unaltered condition; maintain unchanged, To prevent (organic bodies) from decaying or spoiling, To treat fruit or other foods so as to prevent decay, transitive verb_ To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect, to protect it from extermination, To maintain throughout; to keep intact, verb_ to keep up and reserve for personal or special use, maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger, prevent (food) from rotting, noun_ a domain that seems to be specially reserved for someone, a reservation where animals are protected, Something that acts to preserve; a preservative