Etymology Map
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Preserve

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means to keep safe or in its original state

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

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

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.