pre·serve /pri-'zərv/ vt pre·served, pre·serv·ing
1: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction
expenses necessary to preserve the property
2 a: to keep valid, intact, or in existence (as pending a proceeding)
the right of a trial by jury shall be preserved — U.S. Constitution amend. VII
the dismissal of a chapter 7 case...reinstates certain transfers voided or preserved in the case — J. H. Williamson
b: to maintain for use or consideration at a later time esp. by keeping a record of
deposed the witness to preserve her testimony
a party has the option of preserving the objection raised — J. H. Friedenthal et al.
pres·er·va·tion /ˌpre-zər-'vā-shən/ n
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.