preserve

Where does the word "preserve" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin praeservare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Preserve’s story begins in Medieval Latin: praeservare meant “to guard beforehand.” 'prae-', before, plus 'servare', to keep. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as preserver. Fruit preserves date from the 1600s. It reached English by 1300s as preserve. Fruit 'preserves' date from the 1600s. Today, preserve means to keep safe or in its original state.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval praeservare "to guard beforehand", 'prae-', before, plus 'servare', to keep.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval preserver "to keep safe", fruit preserves date from the 1600s.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s preserve "to protect", fruit 'preserves' date from the 1600s.