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DictionaryRoot: servare
Latin

servare

keep, preserve, or watch over

Forms

  • servare
  • servat- — The form used for completed action and later derivatives.

Origin

An inherited Latin verb; its deeper relationship to other old protection words is uncertain.

Note

Keeping something safe and keeping a rule both extend the idea of maintaining it.

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verb

conserve

kuhn-SURV/kənˈsɜːrv/

To keep something from being lost, damaged, or wasted.

We conserve water by turning off the faucet while brushing.

A young boy turns off a dripping faucet firmly to conserve clean water, simple direct scene.
Etymology
conLatinwith, together; sometimes thoroughly
+serveLatinkeep, preserve, or watch over

The root means keeping watch or maintaining, with the prefix perhaps adding emphasis. To conserve something is to keep it intact rather than let it suffer loss or decay.

In context

Joel0:03
by reducing our energy wastage we can help to save the planet however as a global society we often don't make even the smallest step to conserve the energy
ENERYCON-(Save energy)-Official documentary

More examples

  • The museum conserves fragile textiles for future generations.
  • Rest between climbs to conserve your strength.
  • Better insulation helps conserve energy during winter.

Forms

conserve · conserves · conserved · conserving

conservation noun — The protection and careful use of resources.

Similar words

preserve
Emphasizes keeping something intact or in its original condition.
protect
Emphasizes shielding something from danger rather than limiting waste.
save
Often emphasizes using less or setting something aside for later.