Reply
Wed 14 Jun, 2006 12:50 am
what's the difference between "preserve" and "reservation"?
"Preserve" can be used as a verb. "To preserve" means "to keep intact, safe, or fresh." For example: Salt helps to preserve meat.
When used as a noun, it can be similar to reservation. A "preserve" is a place that is designed to help keep animal- or plant-life safe (for example, "a botanical preserve"). A "reservation" is an area that has been given to a specific community or group of people so that it can regulate its own day-to-day activities (for example, an "Native American reservation"). The difference is that a "preserve" implies protection while a "reservation" implies seclusion.
Of course, "reservation" can also have a completely different meaning: a "reservation" also refers to setting aside a place for someone in advance. For example, if you are going to have dinner at a restaurant, you can call them ahead of time and ask them to have a table ready when you arrive; this is called "making a reservation."