Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Preserve \Pre*serve"\, v. i.
   1. To make preserves. --Shak.

   2. To protect game for purposes of sport.

Preserve \Pre*serve"\, n.
   1. That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by
      suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; --
      commonly in the plural.

   2. A place in which game, fish, etc., are preserved for
      purposes of sport, or for food.

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 : WordNet®

preserve
     n 1: a domain that seems to be specially reserved for someone;
          "medicine is no longer a male preserve"
     2: a reservation where animals are protected
     3: fruit preserved by cooking with sugar [syn: {conserve}, {conserves},
         {preserves}]

preserve
     v 1: 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" [syn: {continue},
           {uphold}, {carry on}, {bear on}] [ant: {discontinue}]
     2: 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" [syn: {conserve},
         {maintain}, {keep up}]
     3: to keep up and reserve for personal or special use; "She
        saved the old family photographs in a drawer" [syn: {save}]
     4: prevent (food) from rotting; "preserved meats"; "keep
        potatoes fresh" [syn: {keep}]
     5: maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger; "May God
        keep you" [syn: {keep}]
     6: keep undisturbed for personal or private use for hunting,
        shooting, or fishing; "preserve the forest and the lakes"