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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Conserve, Conserf, v. Also: conserwe, -sarve, -sarwe, -serffe. [ME. conserve (Chaucer), OF. conserver, L. conservāre.]

1. tr. To keep safe or in good condition; to preserve from being lost or damaged. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 412.
Inne-to the temple of Mynerve [they] Suld put hem thar for to conserve c1420 Wynt. vii. 2181.
My will is … to ger all conserwyd be That langis til honoure and honeste 1456 Hay II. 125/23.
The hete of the bed … conservis and enforsis the naturale hete Ib. 164/2.
Sa may the realme … be wele defendit and conservit a1500 Colk. Sow 26.
Gret laubor is to get geir And to conserue it is feir c1515 Asl. MS. I. 191/12.
The quhilk allia was lang tyme weile conseruit & kepit 1510 Reg. Privy S. I. 328/2.
That … he sall … approve and conserf the ald use and consuetude of regalite a1586 Maitland Gen. Seytoun 9.
To conserue and maintein the hous quhilk his forbeirs hes conquest

b. To maintain (a person) in health and prosperity. Freq. in wishes. 1424 Edinb. Chart. 213.
Ȝhure hey excellence … conserue and kepe in freedome the almychti sonne of the glorius virgine a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 155.
God that ws bocht … , Both ȝow and me to consarue he deden c1500 Crying of Play 18.
The God of most magnificence Conserf this fair presens 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 108.
The Halie Rud conserue in prosperite your Lordschipes noble Lordschipe c1515 Asl. MS. I. 193/24.
Our souerane lord that ryngis now present, quhom God kepe and conserf 1531 Bell. Boece II. 482.
The gratious God conserve thé, maist nobill prince 15.. Clar. ii. 385.
Ȝour Ladyheid, Whom God in gud prosperitie conserve a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xxii. 3.
We ask at thé Ws to defend, consarwe ws and guberne

2. To preserve from something evil, hurtful, etc. a1500 Bernardus 167.
Be wakyr al tyme … Thé to conserffe with vertu fra his ile [= ill] a1500 Henr. Fab. 1334.
Me to conserue than fra the sonis heit, Under the schadow of ane hawthorne grene, I lenit doun a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 263.
Thy corporale hele fra seikness to conserf c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 182.
Chryst the conserf frome all aduersite 1535 Stewart 60357.
Tha schone fra bresing will conserue thi feit 15.. Clar. v. 1135.
Prayand to him … Him to conserve from all misaventure a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cii. 63.
Thair is na riches … can … Conserue him fra seiknes

3. To maintain in a certain state. a1500 Rauf C. 953.
Thay … conseruit thame freindis to thair lyfis end c1515 Asl. MS. I. 312/22.
The fader of hevin conseruit the godhed of the son vnhurt with the Iowis 1513 Doug. i. viii. 93.
Quham gif the fatis alyve conservit haith To tak this hevinly ayr [etc.] 1533 Boece vii. viii. 237 b.
Of ferme intencioun … to conserf inviolate hir virginite 1540 Lynd. Sat. 91.
My stait … may nocht … conserue my life in sickernes a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xvi. 36.
Hir ȝoung spous … That eftir hir may governe this cuntre, … And it conserve in law and libertie

4. To keep up or in store; to preserve for use. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1778.
Agane him the god Mynerve Gane o richt bittir ire conserve 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 189.
Water stankis … of sic depnes that ged, eyls, and fyscis … ma be conseruyt and kepit bath swmyr and wyntir a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 162.
Thow sall haif, lo, standing in the skelf Quheit breid and reme conservit for my self