Preserve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preserved; p. pr. & vb. n. Preserving.]
Etymology: [F. préserver, from L. prae before + servare to save, preserve; cf. L. praeservare to observe beforehand. See Serve.]
1. To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect. O Lord, thou preserved man and beast. Ps. xxxvi. 6. Now, good angels preserve the king. Shak.
2. 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. You can not preserve it from tainting. Shak.
3. To maintain throughout; to keep intact; as, to preserve appearances; to preserve silence. To preserve game, to protect it from extermination.
Syn. -- To keep; save; secure; uphold; sustain; defend; spare; protect; guard; shield. See Keep.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Preserve, v. i.
1. To make preserves. Shak.
2. To protect game for purposes of sport.
Preserve, n.
1. That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; -- commonly in the plural.
2. A place in which game, fish, etc., are preserved for purposes of sport, or for food.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for preserve; he lists it under keep.
Where he writes about it:
We keep, observe, or celebrate a festival; we keep or hold a prisoner in custody; we keep or preserve silence, keep the peace, preserve order--preserve being the more formal word; we keep or maintain a horse, a servant, etc.; a man supports his family; we keep or obey a commandment; keep or fulfil a promise. — from keep
In the expressions to keep a secret, keep one's own counsel, keep faith, or keep the faith, such words as preserve or maintain could not be substituted without loss. — from keep