Where does “preserving” come from?
Preserving derives from Middle English preserven, from Old French preserver, from Latin preservare and praeservare, ultimately from Latin servare meaning "to guard or protect," rooted in Proto-Indo-European ser-.
preserving (English): present participle of preserve; preservation
Definitions
- present participle of preserve; preservation
Ancestry of “preserving”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | preserve | A sweet spread made of any of a variety of... |
| 2 | Middle English | preserven | To keep safe; protect from harm or loss |
| 3 | Old French | preserver | — |
| 4 | Latin | preservare | keep, preserve |
| 5 | Latin | praeservāre | — |
| 6 | Latin | prae | before; in front; in front of |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | prai | before; in front of |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | preh₂- | before, in front |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |