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preservative

Syllabification: (pre·serv·a·tive)

Pronunciation: /priˈzərvətiv/

Translate preservative | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of preservative

noun

a substance used to preserve foodstuffs, wood, or other materials against decay.

adjective

acting to preserve something:the preservative effects of freezing

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praeservativus, from late Latin praeservat- 'kept', from the verb praeservare (see preserve)