reserve

verb

• 1retain for future use:roll out half the dough and reserve the other half
• (reserve something for) use or engage in something only in or at (a particular circumstance or time):Japanese food has been presented as expensive and reserved for special occasions
• (in church use) retain (a portion of the consecrated elements) after Mass for communion of the sick or as a focus for devotion.
• retain or hold (a right or entitlement), especially by formal or legal stipulation: [with object and infinitive]:the editor reserves the right to edit letters

• 2arrange for (a room, seat, ticket, etc.) to be kept for the use of a particular person:a place was reserved for her in the front row

• 3refrain from delivering (a judgement or decision) without due consideration or evidence:I’ll reserve my views on his ability until he’s played again

noun

• 1 (often reserves) a supply of a commodity not needed for immediate use but available if required:Australia has major coal, gas, and uranium reserves
• funds kept available by a bank, company, or government:foreign exchange reserves
• a part of a company’s profits added to capital rather than paid as a dividend: the bank built up a cash reserve of £2bn to meet any run on the bank once the loss was revealed

• 2a body of troops withheld from action to reinforce or protect others, or additional to the regular forces and available in an emergency: the men were stationed as a central reserve ready to be transported wherever necessary
• a member of the military reserve: the army began calling up reserves for combat training

• 3an extra player in a team, serving as a possible substitute: [as modifier]:he was reserve hooker for the World Cup team
• (the reserves) the second-choice team: playing in the first team has been a big step up after the reserves

• 4a place set aside for special use, in particular:
• a reservation for an indigenous people: a reserve was allocated to the tribe on Bear Island
• a protected area for wildlife: part of the marshes has been managed to create a splendid reserve full of birds

• 5 [mass noun] a lack of warmth or openness in manner or expression:she smiled and some of her natural reserve melted
• a feeling of doubt qualifying acceptance of a person, statement, or plan:she trusted him without reserve

• 6short for reserve price.

• 7(in the decoration of ceramics or textiles) an area in which the original material or background colour remains visible.