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

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.

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

To make preserves.

To protect game for purposes of sport.

That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept
by suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; – commonly in
the plural.

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