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.
13 / 22
verb
observe
uhb-ZURV/əbˈzɜːrv/
To notice or watch something carefully.
Etymology
The underlying verb meant watching over or keeping something safe. The sense of watching and noticing developed through the more specific practice of seeing and noting omens.
Related word entries
- conservancy
- conservation
- conservative
- conservator
- conserveProtect from loss or waste
- conserveFruit preserve
- observable
- observance
- observationCareful watching
- observationFollowing a custom or rule
- observatory
- observeFollowing rules
- observeNoticing and watching
- preservation
- preservative
- preserve
- reservationAdvance arrangement
- reservationDoubt or qualification
- reserveKeeping for future use
- reserveRestraint in expression
- reservist
- reservoir