Con*serve" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Conserved (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Conserving.] [F. conserver, L. conservare; con- + servare to keep, guard. See Serve.]
1.
To keep in a safe or sound state; to save; to preserve; to protect.
The amity which . . . they meant to conserve and maintain with the emperor.
Strype.
2.
To prepare with sugar, etc., for the purpose of preservation, as fruits, etc.; to make a conserve of.
© Webster 1913.
Con"serve (?), n. [F. conserve, fr. conserver.]
1.
Anything which is conserved; especially, a sweetmeat prepared with sugar; a confection.
I shall . . . study broths, plasters, and conserves, till from a fine lady I become a notable woman.
Tatler.
2. Med.
A medicinal confection made of freshly gathered vegetable substances mixed with finely powdered refined sugar. See Confection.
3.
A conservatory.
[Obs.]
Evelyn.
© Webster 1913.