preserve

preserve

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Pronunciation

/prɪˈzɜːv/

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

• prɪ:

• p: voiceless bilabial stop (like the 'p' in 'pen')

• r: alveolar approximant (like the 'r' in 'red')

• ɪ: near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the 'i' in 'bit')

• zɜːv:

• z: voiced alveolar fricative (like the 'z' in 'zoo')

• ɜː: open-mid central unrounded vowel (like the 'ir' in 'bird', but longer)

• v: voiced labiodental fricative (like the 'v' in 'van')

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Word Form Variations

"Preserve" can function as both a verb and a noun in English. Here's a breakdown of its word forms:

Verb:

• Preserve (base form): e.g., "We must preserve our history."

• Preserves (third-person singular present): e.g., "She preserves fruit in jars."

• Preserving (present participle): e.g., "He is preserving his family's traditions."

• Preserved (past tense and past participle): e.g., "They preserved the documents for future generations."

Noun:

• Preserve (singular): e.g., "This jam is made with fruit from my grandmother's preserve."

• Preserves (plural): e.g., "She enjoys making different kinds of preserves."

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Verb

• Definition: To maintain something in its original or existing state, protecting it from harm, decay, or destruction. This can include keeping something safe, preventing it from spoiling, or upholding a tradition or value.

• Synonyms: conserve, protect, safeguard, maintain, save, sustain, uphold

• Antonyms: destroy, damage, harm, neglect, abandon, waste

Noun

• Definition 1: A food, typically fruit, that has been processed and stored in sugar to prevent spoilage.

• Synonyms: jam, jelly, marmalade, conserve

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this sense)

• Definition 2: An area of land or water designated for the protection of wildlife or natural resources.

• Synonyms: reserve, sanctuary, park, conservation area

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this sense)

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Examples of Use

Books:

• Fiction: "He was determined to preserve his family's legacy, even if it meant sacrificing everything." (Any novel featuring a character protecting a family heirloom or tradition)

• Non-Fiction: "The National Archives preserve important historical documents for future generations." ("Archives of the National Archives of Australia" - National Archives of Australia)

Newspapers:

• "The government announced new measures to preserve the endangered rainforest." (Any article about environmental conservation efforts)

• "Local residents are fighting to preserve the historic building from demolition." (Any article about historical preservation efforts) (e.g., "Residents fight to preserve historic Black neighborhood from demolition" - The Washington Post)

Online Publications:

• "This website is dedicated to preserving the history of the internet." (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)

• "Scientists are working to preserve coral reefs from the effects of climate change." (Any article about marine conservation on websites like National Geographic or The Guardian)

Entertainment:

• Film: Jurassic Park (1993) explores the ethical implications of preserving dinosaurs through genetic engineering.

• Video Games: In many role-playing games, players can use magic spells or potions to preserve their health or increase their strength. (e.g., "Potion of Preservation" in Minecraft)

• Music: Folk music often serves to preserve cultural traditions and stories. (e.g., "The Preservation Hall Jazz Band" keeps alive the traditions of New Orleans jazz)

General Public Discourse:

• Politics: "We must preserve our democracy by protecting the right to vote." (Common phrase in political speeches and debates)

• Everyday Conversation: "I'm trying to preserve my energy for the big game tonight." (Common expression to indicate conserving one's strength)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Preserve

1. "The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil, and the function of goodness is to preserve wisdom." – Marcus Aurelius

2. "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was like to live free. We must preserve it." – Ronald Reagan

3. "To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival. We must preserve it." – Wendell Berry

4. "The goal is not to live forever, but to create something that will preserve your legacy." – Chuck Palahniuk

5. "To preserve peace, prepare for war." – George Washington

6. "The best way to preserve your character is never to let it be corrupted in the first place." – Thomas Jefferson

7. "Nature’s beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude. We must preserve it for future generations." – Louie Schwartzberg

8. "Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. They preserve the wisdom of ages." – Henry David Thoreau

9. "It takes great effort to build a good reputation but only a moment of foolishness to destroy it. Preserve it carefully." – Anonymous

10. "The only way to preserve your inner peace is to ignore external chaos." – Deepak Chopra

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Etymology

Imagine you're trying to keep something safe and sound for the future. That's exactly what "preserve" means! And the word's history reflects that idea.

It comes from the Latin word "praeservare", which literally means "to guard beforehand." Think of it like this: "pre" means "before" and "servare" means "to keep." So, you're taking action beforehand to keep something safe.

This Latin word journeyed through Old French as "preserver" before arriving in English in the 14th century as "preserve."

At first, it mainly meant to protect someone or something from harm. Over time, it expanded to include the idea of keeping something in good condition, like preventing food from spoiling.

So, whether you're talking about saving a historic building, protecting endangered animals, or making jam, you're using a word that has been helping us talk about keeping things safe for hundreds of years!

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Preserve

Existing Phrases:

• "Preserve of the...": This indicates something exclusive to a particular group. E.g., "Opera used to be the preserve of the wealthy."

• "In a preserve": Meaning a protected area, like a wildlife preserve.

Lesser-Known Phrases:

• "Preserve one's dignity/composure": To maintain a calm and respectable demeanor in a difficult situation.

• "Preserve one's sanity": To stay mentally healthy in a stressful environment.

Original Phrases:

• "Preserve the peace": To prevent conflict or maintain a harmonious state.

• "Preserve the moment": To cherish and remember a special experience.

• "Preserve one's options": To keep choices open and avoid making a final decision.

Idioms with Synonyms:

• "Save face": To avoid embarrassment or maintain one's reputation.

• "Hold onto your hat": To prepare for something exciting or turbulent. (Relates to preserving balance)

• "Keep your head above water": To survive a difficult situation. (Similar to preserving oneself)

• "Guard your tongue": To be careful about what you say. (Links to preserving relationships)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of preserve from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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