English
reserve
see also: Reserve
Etymology

From Old French reserver.

Pronunciation
  • (America) IPA: /ɹɪˈzɝv/
  • (RP) IPA: /ɹɪˈzɜːv/
Noun

reserve

  1. A restriction.
    1. The act of reserving or keeping back; reservation; exception.
      The book is on reserve.
      I accept your view with one reserve.
    2. Restraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior.
  2. That which is reserved or kept back, as for future use.
    1. A natural resource known to exist but not currently exploited.
      New oil reserves are continuously being discovered, but not as fast as the existing ones are running out.
    2. A tract of land reserved, or set apart, for a particular purpose
      the Connecticut Reserve in Ohio was originally set apart for the school fund of Connecticut.
      the Clergy Reserves in Canada are for the support of the clergy.
    3. (Canada) A tract of land set apart for the use of an Aboriginal group; Indian reserve (compare US reservation.)
    4. (military) A body of troops kept in the rear of an army drawn up for battle, reserved to support the other lines as occasion may require; a force or body of troops kept for an exigency.
    5. (finance, insurance) Funds kept on hand to meet planned or unplanned financial requirements.
    6. A reserve price in an auction.
    7. Wine held back and aged before being sold.
    8. (ceramics) Absence of color or decoration; the state of being left plain.
  3. Something initially kept back for later use in recreation.
    1. (sports) A member of a team who does not participate from the start of the game, but can be used to replace tired or injured team-mates.
    2. (card games) A group or pile of cards dealt out at the beginning of a patience or solitaire game to be used during play.
  4. In exhibitions, a distinction indicating that the recipient will get a prize in the event of another person being disqualified.
  5. (calico printing) A resist.
  6. A preparation used on an object being electroplated to fix the limits of the deposit.
Synonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • German: Reserve
  • Portuguese: reserva
  • Russian: резервный фонд
Translations Verb

reserve (reserves, present participle reserving; simple past and past participle reserved)

  1. To keep back; to retain.
    We reserve the right to make modifications.
    I will reserve judgment until I have actually read his book.
  2. To keep in store for future or special use.
    This cake is reserved for the guests!
    • c. 1703-1720, Jonathan Swift, A Letter to a Very Young Lady on Her Marriage
      Conceal your esteem and love in your own breast, and reserve your kind looks and language for private hours.
  3. To book in advance; to make a reservation.
    I reserved a table for us at the best restaurant in town.
    Synonyms: sign up, register, schedule, enroll, book
  4. (obsolete) To make an exception of; to except.
Translations Translations Translations
Reserve
Proper noun
  1. A city in Kansas.
  2. A census-designated place in Louisiana.
  3. A census-designated place in Montana.
  4. A village/county seat in Catron County, New Mexico.
  5. A census-designated place in Wisconsin.


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