All 5 Uses

preserve
in
Fever, 1793
(Auto-generated)

May the Lord keep and preserve all of you.
p. 113.8

preserve = protect
The doors to the pantry stood open, and Eliza's crocks of preserves, the sugar cone, and her spice cabinet were missing.
p. 123.2 *

preserves = fruit cooked with sugar and sealed (usually in a jar) so it will not spoil
"Saints preserve us, more fever victims," groaned the short man.
p. 144.1

preserve = protect
His collection included mastodon bones, fossils, minerals, and preserved animals such as jackals, mongooses, and bison, along with dozen of species of amphibians, birds, fish, and insects.
p. 246.3 *

preserved = kept as they were
Along with cinnamon buns, Eliza had packed hotcakes and ham, a crock of cherry preserves, another of garlic pickles, and a hard ball of cheese carefully wrapped.†
p. 90.1

Definitions:

(1) (preserve as in: preserve the records)
to protect something or to keep it as it is
(2) (preserve as in: preserve the peaches)
to prepare food in a way that keeps it from spoiling
(3) (preserve as in: a wildlife preserve)
protected wildlife area
(4) (preserve as in: no longer a male preserve)
something exclusive to (someone or some group) -- such as an activity or place
(5) (preserves as in: mom made preserves)
chunks of fruit cooked with sugar (like jam) and sealed (usually in a mason jar) so it will not spoil
(6) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)