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.
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.