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Webster 1913 Edition

Preservative

Pre-serv′a-tive

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
préservatif
.]
Having the power or quality of preserving; tending to preserve, or to keep from injury, decay, etc.

Pre-serv′a-tive

,
Noun.
That which preserves, or has the power of preserving; a presevative agent.
To wear tablets as
preservatives
against the plague.
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Preservative

PRESERV'ATIVE

,
Adj.
Having the power or quality of keeping safe from injury, destruction or decay; tending to preserve.

PRESERV'ATIVE

,
Noun.
That which preserves or has the power of preserving; something that tends to secure a person or thing in a sound state, or prevent if from injury, destruction, decay or corruption; a preventive of injury or decay. Persons formerly wore tablets of arsenic, as preservatives against the plague. Clothing is a preservative against cold. Temperance and exercise are the best preservatives of health. Habitual reverence of the Supreme Being is an excellent preservative against sin and the influence of evil examples.

Definition 2025

preservative

preservative

See also: préservative

English

Noun

preservative ‎(plural preservatives)

  1. (countable) any agent, natural or artificial that acts to preserve, especially when added to food
    Salt, sugar, and acid all act as preservatives when making pickles.

Translations

Adjective

preservative

  1. tending to preserve
    The curators took preservative actions to maintain the ancient collection.

Translations

Italian

Adjective

preservative f pl

  1. feminine plural of preservativo

Anagrams

Etymology

From Old French preservatif, from Medieval Latin praeservativus

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