▪ I. reserve, n.
(rɪˈzɜːv)
[a. F. réserve, f. réserver to reserve.]
I. 1. a. Something stored up, kept back, or relied upon, for future use or advantage; a store or stock; an extra quantity.
| a 1658 Cleveland Poems (1677) 72 Cavalier buds, whom Nature teems, As a Reserve for England's Throne. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 44 Not only for their present use..but for a Reserve to answer accidents during their Voyages. 1705 Addison Italy 147 The hidden Reserves and secret Magazines of the Church. 1719 London & Wise Compl. Gard. 107 How to order Trees planted for Reserves. 1785 Burke Sp. Nabob Arcot Wks. 1842 I. 321/1 Being made acquainted that they must again exert their influence for a new reserve of the happy parsimony of their servants. 1806–7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) iv. x, A drunken sailor who..ejects his reserve of tobacco against the lady's drapery. 1868 Rogers Pol. Econ. ix. (1876) 103 It is a maxim in business that a man..should have a hoard or reserve from which he can draw, when the times are untoward. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit. Dict. 339/1 In the artillery, there are three reserves of ammunition. |
b. The amount of capital kept on hand by a banker, insurance company, etc., in order to meet ordinary or probable demands. Also
pl. Also, that part of the profit of a joint stock company which is not distributed to shareholders.
hidden reserve: see
hidden ppl. a. 1 d.
| 1866 Crump Banking ix. 184 The enormous subsidies..had caused an immense drain upon the metallic reserves of the Bank for the last year or two. 1880 B. Price in Fraser's Mag. May 675 The banker does not lend all he receives. The difference is called his reserve. 1885 Jrnl. Inst. Actuaries Apr. 141 On a new method of comparing the Reserves for Policies. 1930, etc. [see hidden ppl. a. 1 d]. 1940 Economist 25 May 936/1 This has..involved a redefinition of reserves. In former years this item in our figures was a repository for a mixture: reserves provided against specific assets, and other items properly chargeable against profits were combined with ‘free reserves’ which were, in effect, merely undivided profits. Now the line is more tightly drawn to include the latter and exclude the former. 1974 Terminol. Managem. & Financial Accountancy (Inst. Cost & Managem. Accountants) 63 Reserves, undistributed or surplus profits. The creation and distribution of certain reserves are affected by company policy and legal considerations, e.g. the provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company. |
c. The amount of a mineral, or of oil or natural gas, which is known to exist in the ground in a particular region and to be capable of exploitation. Usu.
pl. [
Cf. quot. 1860 in sense 5.]
| 1912 M. H. Burnham Mod. Mine Valuation i. 66 Ore in a developed mine lying below that which the engineer is willing to class as a reserve, and pay for, is ‘possible’ only. [Note] The above table classes as reserves only the ore lying above the deepest level. 1922 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists VI. 444 Within the last few years the necessity has developed for estimating recoverable reserves on oil and gas properties. 1945 J. A. Brown in L. M. Fanning Our Oil Resources i. 6 In the Maracaibo basin of Venezuela alone there are proved reserves of at least 5 billion barrels of crude oil. 1969 Australian 24 Oct. 18/2 Ore reserves fall into four general categories—proven, profitable, possible and indicated. Proven is ore that has been blocked out on four sides; probable is ore that has been opened on two or three sides, while possible ore has been opened on one side only; indicated ore is ore that has been outlined by diamond drilling but which has not been opened by underground work. 1979 Nature 26 July 261/1 What the board is actually talking about if it uses the word ‘proven’ is ‘reserves’: materials that have been mapped out sufficiently well that they can be the subject of mining by known methods. |
d. spec. Extra energy; a supply of energy or resilience. Usu.
pl.| 1929 H. Crane Let. c 23 Oct. (1965) 347, I feel quite rested already, but I know that I need a little ‘reserve’. 1934 H. G. Wells Exper. Autobiogr. I. vi. 369 Dr. Collins heard of my plight and wrote also. I detected a helpful motive and wrote among other things to assure him that I had ‘reserves’ for a year or so. 1941 Lilliput Mar. 206/1 We had lovely weather all the time. I was so glad. Most children don't feel it, but Jonathan is such a fragile little thing, no reserves at all. |
2. Mil. a. pl. Those troops or portions of an army which are withheld from action in order to serve as a reinforcement, or, in case of retreat, as cover to the main body. Also
sing. in the same sense. (
Cf. also 4 b.)
| 1648 Heylin Relat. & Observ. i. 32 All the Sectaries of England are invited to be Reserves to this Army. 1670 Cotton Espernon i. i. 7 At the Battel of Dreux, where he fought at the head of the Reserve. a 1671 Ld. Fairfax Mem. (1699) 84, I had the right wing, with some Scots horse, and lances for my reserves. 1796 Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813) 191 If a line with reserves, finds it necessary to retire in face of an enemy; the alternate squadrons and reserves will retire two or three hundred paces, and then front. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India II. 25 The troops had been distributed in four columns of attack and a reserve. 1859 Jephson Brittany xii. 193 Charles now ordered up his reserve. 1863 Sat. Rev. 10 Oct. 491 The Federal reserves under the command of Generals Palmer and Negley came into action. |
| fig. 1863 Trevelyan Compet. Wallah (1866) 315 The time will surely come when we may bring up our reserves with happy effect. |
b. That portion of the military or naval forces of a state which is maintained as a further means of defence in addition to the regular army and navy, and is liable to be called out in time of war or emergency; also, in recent use, a member of this force, a reservist. Also
attrib.| 1866 Chambers's Encycl. VIII. 204/2 The reserve of the British possessions abroad amounts nominally to 90,780 men. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit. Dict. 338/2 In the British army this force consists of the auxiliary forces, as well as the army reserves, the militia reserve, or any other reserve and land forces. 1891 Patterson Naut. Dict. 368 State naval reserves are on about the same footing as the militia. 1898 Daily News 30 Mar. 5/3 Recruits..will be enlisted for three years' army and nine years' reserve service. |
c. In games, an additional player kept in readiness to take the place of another if required. Also
pl., the reserve or second team.
| 1900 A. Upward Eben. Lobb 71, I have so many to select from... But..I can put you down as a reserve. 1961 Daily Express 14 Jan. 10 Aston Villa assistant manager Dick Taylor..saw 19-year-old Cheung bamboozle Villa reserves. 1976 E. Dunphy Diary in Only a Game? v. 147 All you have got to look forward to is Aldershot reserves away next Wednesday. 1976 Evening Post (Nottingham) 14 Dec. 18/5 The England reserve, who injured his back against East Midlands last week, is replaced by Nottingham Casuals' Ian Henry. 1977 Belfast Tel. 22 Feb. 29/3 He played for the reserves last night and if there is no reaction, he will be in the Thistle first team tonight. |
† 3. a. A certain amount
of some quality, feeling, etc., still retained or remaining.
Obs. rare.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. i. vi. (1686) 18 A reserve of Puerility we have not shaken off from School. 1647 Crashaw Poems (1858) 176 Their deadly hate lives still, and hath A wild reserve of wanton wrath. 1714 Pope Epil. Rowe's J. Shore 20 Still hoarding up, most scandalously nice, Amidst their virtues, a reserve of vice. |
† b. A place or thing in which something is preserved or stored.
Obs.| 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xxiv. §2. 214 How can one imagine that such iuice should circulate the whole body of an animall,..and retire to the reserue where it is kept for generation. 1655 Marquis of Worcester Cent. Inv. §17 A reserve for Snow to keep wine in. 1659 J. Leak Water-wks. 30 The Reserve must be alwaies full of Water a foot high. Ibid. 32. |
† c. A thing or means to which one may have recourse; a refuge.
Obs. rare.
| 1673 Lady's Call. i. v. ¶28 'Tis..thought to be but the effect of destitution and secular wants, a reserve rather then a choice. 1699 Bentley Phalaris Pref. 51 The only reserve then that I had left was to write to Mr. Grœvius. a 1715 Burnet Own Time ii. (1724) I. 320 So he thought, he had a sure reserve to gain England at any time over to them. |
4. a. in reserve, kept or remaining unutilized; still available.
| 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 91 The only Method in reserve..is this of Lead. 1692 Bentley Boyle Lect. v. 153 Still he hath another Expedient in reserve. 1814 Chalmers Evid. Chr. Revel. i. (ed. 5) 13 There is still a second argument in reserve. 1858 Froude Hist. Eng. xiii. III. 163 He had a force in reserve with which he could..crush them. 1887 Irvine Football 125 The tactics of keeping the wing players in reserve. |
b. of reserve, acting as, or destined for, a support or recourse. Chiefly
Mil. in
army,
body or
corps of reserve, after F.
armée or
corps de réserve.
| 1693 Mem. Ct. Teckely ii. 151 Some pierced even to the Body of Reserve. 1719 London & Wise Compl. Gard. 107 That we may always have some [trees] as 'twere in a Body of Reserve for that purpose. 1763 Mills Pract. Husb. IV. 340 The weakest of the two shoots..they called the shoot of reserve. 1802 James Milit. Dict. s.v. Army, An army is..generally..formed into three lines; the first of which.. forms the van-guard..and the third, the rear-guard or corps of reserve. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India I. 199 An army of reserve..was prepared to support the advance. 1866 Chambers's Encycl. VIII. 204/2 The Army of Reserve is a force incorporated under the act 22 and 23 Vict. c. 42 (1859). |
II. 5. a. Something reserved or set apart for some reason or purpose. In later use also in technical applications (see
quots.).
| 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. iii. ad Sect. xiv. (1667) 428 Either they that remain are sealed up to a worse calamity, or left within the reserves and mercies of Repentance. 1679 C. Nesse Antichrist 146 Besides the reserve of 45 y. hereafter to be spoke of. 1695 Kennett Par. Antiq. Gloss. s.v. Chirch-Scot, A reserve of Corn rent paid to Secular Priests, or to the Religious. 1710 Prideaux Orig. Tithes ii. 72 They were Maintained out of the Sacrifices, that were offered, and..had every time they officiated a reserve over and above for the support of their Families also. 1799 Hull Advertiser 28 Dec. 2/1 The Earl of Breadalbane's woods..contain about two thousand chosen reserves, from 40 to 100 years old. 1808–25 Jamieson, Reserve, the designation given to a tree reserved in a hag. 1860 Worcester (citing Ansted), Reserve, a part of a lode laid bare by the exploring and regular work of a mine, from which the ore can be at any time removed. |
b. A district or place set apart for some particular use, or assigned to certain persons. (
Cf. reservation 3 b.) Also as the final element in
Combs.: see
game n. 16 a,
native a. 15,
nature n. 15 a.
| 1805 Statutes at Large U.S.A. (1846) VII. 98 The latter [Indian] reserve to be subject to the same laws and regulations as may be established in the circumjacent country. 1832 T. Baillie Acct. Province N. Brunswick 79 The Richibucto River is also well and thickly settled, to the head of the tide excepting in a large tract reserved for Indians, which reserve is a great drawback on the prosperity of the place. 1852 Godlonton & Irving Kaffir War iii. xvii. 232 They fell upon two Fingo kraals in the ‘Reserve’..and completely destroyed them. 1853 Moodie Life in Clearings 50 The fever of the ‘Clergy Reserves question’ was then at its height. 1867 Parkman Jesuits in N. Amer. xxxii. (1875) 426 The government of the United States at length removed them [the Indians] to reserves on the western frontier. 1882 St. James's Gaz. 15 Mar. 6/1 Other dangers of the oyster in the shallow waters of the reserves are heat and cold. 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 251 A reserve for travelling stock. 1892 Pall Mall G. 21 Apr., Each monk's ‘reserve’ contains a passage..which serves as his exercise ground. 1908 C. Mair Through Mackenzie Basin 57 These reserves are holdings you can select when you please, subject to the approval of the Government. 1928 J. D. Taylor Christianity & Natives of S. Afr. 6 The Adequacy or Inadequacy of the Existing Native Reserves begins to be recognised as the crux of the Native question. 1953 P. Abrahams Return to Goli iv. ii. 106 At the moment the Blacks of the Reserves have only about 10 per cent of the total land area of the Union. 1965 Austral. Encycl. I. 88/2 Southern Australia..has allocated a large part..of the western desert in the north-west of the State for aboriginal reserves. 1973 Black World June 46/1 Australia, for over 30,000 years a Black man's country, has for the past 200 years been dominated by white western-europeans, and the original inhabitants..have been murdered, poisoned, rounded up and confined on Reserves. 1977 Belfast Tel. 22 Feb. 2/7 The two men were working in a reserve containing eight tigers. |
| attrib. a 1843 Southey Comm.-pl. Bk. Ser. ii. (1849) 627 The Indian Reserve-lands at Gay Head. 1880 E. Kirke Garfield 12 The old gentleman, a robust specimen of a Western Reserve Yankee. 1911 W. H. Koebel In Maoriland Bush xix. 253 An occasional small patch of ‘reserve’ bush throws its long shadow down the steep hillsides. |
c. A distinction given to an animal or other exhibit at a show, indicating that it will receive a prize in the event of another being disqualified.
| 1867 [used at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Bury St. Edmunds]. 1895 Daily News 25 June 3/3 The Duke of York had a reserve for a red-polled cow. |
d. In textile or pottery decoration: an area which is left the original colour of the material or the colour of the background. Also
phr. in reserve.
| 1876 Hamerton Etching & Etchers 281 Reserves of pure white amidst dark shading may be made anywhere. 1910 Burlington Mag. XVII. 284/1 [In these early Mohammedan textiles] for the most part the surface is covered by circular reserves in which..figures..are placed in pairs symmetrically confronted. 1957 K. M. Kenyon Digging up Jericho v. 79 A design in a dark red slip applied..in a series of diamonds or triangles, often so arranged that the underlying cream slip forms a series of chevrons in reserve. 1971 Cambr. Anc. Hist. (ed. 3) I. ii. xxiv. 689 The pottery is painted in a brown or blackish paint on a buff to yellow slip. Designs are simple but very distinctive, consisting of horizontal bands with zigzags, triangles, or multiple chevrons, often left ‘in reserve’. 1980 Catal. Fine Chinese Ceramics (Sotheby, Hong Kong) 166 With reserves of emblems and precious objects alternating with trellis diaper panels around the rim. |
e. In full,
central reserve. A central area separating lanes of a dual carriageway or motorway.
| 1937 Sunday Times 10 Jan., Nearly all the new roads have broad central ‘reserves’ and broad grass verges on each side. 1968 Highway Code 15 When crossing a dual carriageway, treat each half as a separate road. Wait at the central dividing strip (the central reserve) until there is a safe gap in the traffic. 1969 Times 21 Apr. 7/1 By-passes, some with dual carriageways and central reserves, present a greater inconvenience. |
6. a. An expressed limitation, exception, or restriction made concerning something;
† a condition of this nature. Now
rare.
| 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 109 With this reserve and difference, that she shall receive that illustrious honour from my hands, and not I from hers. 1671 Milton P.R. iv. 165, I give to whom I please,..yet with this reserve, not else, On this condition [etc.]. 1699 Bentley Phalaris 258 It is at his Service: but with this reserve, that he shall not abuse me for Lending it. 1729 Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 432 All his declarations seemed to be yet consistent with some favourite scheme..he had taken up, and that led him into his reserves as to the personal property. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. viii. (1875) 319 How many reserves must be made in praising either his poetry, or his criticism! |
b. A mental limitation or qualification of the adherence one gives to some principle, article of belief, etc.
| a 1679 W. Outram Serm. (1682) 304 To evade and escape the plainest truths by some reserves. 1690 Lee Massacre of Paris ii. i. 12 Without the smallest Mental Reservation, Equivocation, or the least Reserve. 1716 Addison Freeholder No. 53 ¶7 However any one may concur in the general scheme, it is still with certain reserves and deviations, and with a salvo to his own private judgment. 1771 Fletcher Checks Wks. 1795 II. 23 Their secret reserves evidence them to be only such believers as Simon Magus. 1859 Mill Liberty i. 19 In the minds of almost all religious persons..the duty of toleration is admitted with tacit reserves. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. vi. 200 The..story..is to be received with a certain reserve. |
c. without reserve, without limitation or restriction of any kind. In modern use chiefly with reference to sales by auction.
| 1700 J. Wellwood Mem. 239 His Subjects were obliged to obey him without Reserve. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 162 ¶4 He that trusts without reserve will at last be deceived. 1794 Paley Evid. (1825) II. 16 It [Christianity] denied without reserve the truth of every article of heathen mythology. 1799 Times 1 June 1/1 (Advt.), The beautiful Collection of paintings..now exhibiting, and selling off without reserve. 1805 Times 7 Nov. 4/2 The whole of the above are in prime condition, and will be sold without reserve. 1846 Bateman Law Auctions ii. ii. (ed. 3) 152 Where, after a sale has been declared to be without reserve, a single private bidder is employed, such bidding will not, under any circumstances, be justifiable. |
d. = reserve price.
| 1854 D. G. Rossetti Let. c 26 June (1965) I. 203 The rest he put into a sale at Christie's, after taking my advice as to the reserve he ought to put on the Hunt, which I fixed at 500 gs. It reached 300 in real biddings, after which Mac's touters ran it up to 430, trying to revive it, but of course it remains with him. 1911 R. Fry Let. 4 Feb. (1972) I. 340 It [sc. a picture] was valued by Berenson..at {pstlg}6,000 but I don't think..that the reserve will be nearly so high as that. 1977 Irish Press 29 Sept. 15/5 Fastest trial winner of the day, in 29.87, The Best Band, went to 1,025 guineas, but this was a long way short of the reserve. |
7. Eccl. a. = reservation 1 b.
rare—1.
| 1725 tr. Dupin's Eccl. Hist. 17th C. I. ii. iii. 46 Benedict XII made a general Reserve of all the Benefices in Curia. |
b. = reservation 1 c.
| 1884 Catholic Dict. 718/1 He quotes..from Constitutions of Richard, bishop of Salisbury, clear cases of Papal reserve. |
8. Techn. a. A preparation used to prevent or modify, in those places to which it is applied, the action of colouring matter upon textile fabrics; a resist. Also
attrib.| 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 156/1 Coloured reserves, capable of communicating different colours in the course of their application; and..mordant reserves. 1839 Ure Dict. Arts 224 The reserve style, where the white cloth is impressed with figures in a resist paste. Ibid. 228 A chrome orange reserve may be made by introducing a larger proportion of sub⁓acetate of lead. 1875 Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 641 Another way of combining madder or garancin colours with steam colours is by blocking on the dyed object..a reserve paste. |
b. A preparation used for similar purposes in electro-plating. Also
attrib.| 1873 Spon Workshop Rec. Ser. i. (1885) 217/2 By reserves, certain parts of a metallic article..are coated with another metal. Ibid., Make a gold reserve, and use a silver reserve. Ibid. 218/1 Resist or Reserve Varnishes. |
III. 9. a. Self-restraint; self-control; imposition of some limit to one's action.
| 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. Pref. a 5 b, That noble Figure..I should be loath to use..with no more Reserve than those great Orators Tully and Isocrates have Sometimes done before me. 1760 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 29/1 Notwithstanding this reserve of the king..the victory was compleat. 1821 Shelley Hellas 540 He crouches, watching till the spoil be won, And must be paid for his reserve in blood. 1860 Ruskin Mod. Paint. V. viii. iv. 184 Reserve... I mean by it the power which a great painter exercises over himself in fixing certain limits..which he will not transgress. |
b. Abstention from giving a full explanation or expressing one's mind freely; reticence; also
spec. in casuistry, an intentional suppression of truth in cases where it might lead to inconvenience.
| 1704 Norris Ideal World ii. xii. 512 The reserve of a theory; which..ought not to attempt to explain everything, but to have some clouds mingled with its light. 1725 Pope Odyss. xiv. 220 On dark reserve what better can prevail, Or from the fluent tongue produce the tale? 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 176 ¶2 A furious critic, whose age, rank, or fortune gives him confidence to speak without reserve. 1794 Paley Evid. ii. ii. (1817) 58 As to the rest a solemn reserve is maintained. 1815 Elphinstone Acc. Caubul (1842) I. 71 The King..said he had sent for us that we might converse without reserve. 1864 Newman Apologia App. 67 It was a duty..to observe a great reserve and caution in communicating to them the knowledge of ‘the whole counsel of God’. |
c. A voidance of too great familiarity; want of cordiality or open friendliness.
| a 1721 Prior Celia to Damon 16 My soul surpris'd,..Left all reserve, and all the sex behind. 1728 Young Love Fame vi. 45 There is no woman, where there's no reserve. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 163 ¶5 This frigid reserve somewhat disgusted me. 1810 Crabbe Borough xxiii, Her trembling joy appears, Her forced reserve, and his retreating fears. 1838 Lytton Alice ii. v, On the whole, they made just allowance for his habits of distant reserve. 1879 Mrs. A. G. F. E. James Ind. Househ. Managem. 79 English people in England are too apt to wrap themselves up in what they think is a dignified reserve. |
† d. on or upon the reserve: (
a) in a waiting attitude; (
b) reserved; reticent.
Obs.| 1655 Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 161, I cannot make any conjecture of Cromwells busines with his parliament, but think he lyes upon the reserve. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 336 This made them keep themselves upon the Reserve. 1740 tr. De Mouhy's Fort. Country-Maid (1741) II. 352 She took me in her Arms, and express'd a Regret for being upon the Reserve, declaring an entire Confidence in me. 1771 T. Hull Sir W. Harrington (1797) III. 159 He really of late has been very much upon the reserve, seldom caring..to go on with the discourse. 1809 Malkin Gil Blas vii. i. ¶7, I shall..disclose a secret to you; though men in our profession cannot be too much on the reserve. |
† 10. An instance of keeping some knowledge from another person; a fact or item of information kept back or disguised; a secret.
Obs.| 1680 Burnet Rochester Pref. (1692) 4 He used very few reserves with me. 1714 Swift Pres. St. Aff. Wks. 1751 IV. 260 Thus he grows to abound in Secrets and Reserves, even towards those, with whom he ought to act in the greatest Confidence. 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ., Character, He insisted I had a reserve, and that I would speak my opinion frankly. 1795 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 296 Consult Mr. Grattan, with whom I have no reserves, and I wish you to have none. 1797–1805 S. & H. Lee Canterb. T. V. 264 Thrown wholly off his reserves by surprise and vexation. |
IV. 11. a. attrib. or as adj. Kept in reserve, constituting a reserve. Also, pertaining to, designed for, or used by reserves.
| 1719 London & Wise Compl. Gard. v. viii. 108 This Transporting of Reserve-Trees may be done 'till Mid-summer. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton v. (1840) 94 Our reserve men advancing, we resolved to fire. 1828 J. M. Spearman Brit. Gunner (ed. 2) 13 No reserve waggons. 1853 Stocqueler Mil. Encycl. 231/1 The depôt companies left at home by infantry regiments embarking for foreign service are now called the Reserve companies. 1853 Mrs. Gaskell Cranford xv. 228 Miss Matty would be perplexed as to her duty if she were aware of any little reserve-fund being made for her while the debts of the bank remained unpaid. 1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 627 Every cell, tissue, or organ in which assimilated substances are stored up for subsequent use is called a Reservoir of Reserve-material. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit. Dict. 339/1 The reserve ammunition of a regiment is carried in carts. 1916 ‘Boyd Cable’ Action Front 125 Men who live month in month out in a narrow territory, bounded on the east by the forward firing line and on the west by..the villages of the reserve billets. 1923 Kipling Irish Guards in Gt. War I. 128 They took over reserve-billets. 1928 [see dog-fight 2]. 1959 N. Mailer Advts. for Myself (1961) 50 In early 1941 he wrote to his father that he would like to take advantage of his reserve commission to enter the army. 1974 D. Kyle Raft of Swords x. 97 In Vancouver..there are a great many British immigrants. Some..are ex-service, still on the reserve list. 1976 Leicester Advertiser 26 Nov. 1/4 He was..reserve champion at the East of England [Show]. 1976 M. Butterworth Remains to be Seen iv. 54 His eye was immediately taken by the fuel warning light. He switched to the reserve tank. |
b. Special
Combs.:
reserve bank, a central bank holding currency reserves (chiefly
Austral. and
N.Z.);
reserve buoyancy, bouyancy available to a craft in excess of its weight;
reserve cell Med., a cell whose further differentiation constitutes the renewal of immediately adjacent tissue;
freq. attrib.;
reserve currency, a currency widely used in international trade and held in reserves by foreign banks;
reserve price (see
quot. 1957).
| 1905 C. A. Conant Princ. Money & Banking II. vii. 292 The essential requirement..is an ultimate source of credit which shall be strong enough to inspire confidence in its ability both to redeem its circulating notes and to grant discounts. A central *reserve bank, whose credit is unquestionable, is then enabled to meet the demand for credit from private bankers by redistributing the paper in their hands. 1965 Austral. Encycl. I. 414/1 At the apex of the structure is the central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is a government-owned institution established by Act of the Commonwealth Parliament in 1959. 1966 Encycl. N.Z. I. 149/2 The extent to which a bank can extend credit which, when used by its customers, will cause it to lose funds to other banks, is determined by the amount of cash it holds at the Reserve Bank and its ability to borrow at the Reserve Bank's discount rate. 1976 Eastern Even. News (Norwich) 13 Dec. 1/1 The Reserve Bank in Sydney said the Australian dollar was being revalued by 1.28 per cent. |
| 1904 A. C. Holms Pract. Shipbuilding vi. 65 *Reserve buoyancy may be defined as the lifting power, and is measured by the volume of the hull above the load-line. 1951 D. H. C. Birt Sailing Yacht Design vi. 99 There is no reserve buoyancy forward on heeling to balance that in the after-sections. 1975 W. Muckle Naval Archit. for Marine Engineers i. 3 It [sc. freeboard] provides reserve buoyancy which can enable it to float in the event of damage. |
| 1909 Amer. Jrnl. Physiol. XXV. 181 Lymphocytes may be ‘*reserve cells’ kept on hand to immediately combat injury to the tissues. 1930 C. Bloom in Maximow & Bloom Textbk. Histol. xxxiv. 693 Most of the chromophobe cells [of the hypophysis], the so-called chief or principal or reserve cells, have relatively small amounts of cytoplasm. 1940 Amer. Jrnl. Cancer XL. 214 (heading) Reserve-cell carcinomas. Ibid. 216 They appear to be the only epithelial cells in the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree which are concerned with cell division and cell differentiation. It seems reasonable, therefore, to look upon them as the reserve cells from which the ciliated columnar cells and goblet cells are replenished. 1952 Amer. Jrnl. Obstetr. & Gynecol. LXIV. 268 Adenomatous hyperplasia and epidermization [in the cervix] seem to be related to activity of a multipotential cell termed the ‘reserve cell’. 1975 L. Foulds Neoplastic Devel. II. iii. 111 Convincing photomicrographs of a layer of small cuboidal cells [in cervical epithelium] have been published and these cells have been identified as the basal cells or reserve cells from which the layer of overlying columnar cells is renewed. Ibid. 112 Reserve cell hyperplasia without metaplasia consists, as a rule, of not more than five or six layers of cuboidal cells similar to normal reserve cells, covered by an intact layer of columnar cells. |
| 1967 Listener 26 Jan. 116/3 Britain, in or out of the Common Market, should maintain sterling as a *reserve currency. 1971 Daily Tel. 10 May 14/3 The special kind of foreign exchange held in official reserves is called..a Reserve Currency. 1978 Time 3 July 8/1 The D-mark is being pushed more and more into the role of an international reserve currency. |
| 1919 W. F. & G. D. Nokes Auctioneer's Man. (ed. 8) i. 11 A short time before the date of the sale the auctioneer should ascertain the *reserve price for the property. 1935 Chambers's Encycl. I. 569/1 Where, under the conditions, a sale by auction is subject to a reserve price, no contract is concluded..if the highest bid is lower than the reserve price. 1957 Clark & Gottfried University Dict. Business & Finance 275/2 Reserve price, at a public auction, the lowest price which a seller is willing to accept; the price below which he reserves the right to withdraw the goods from sale. 1977 D. Clark Gimmel Flask iv. 74 The vendors..are entirely at the mercy of the ring unless the articles have reserve prices put on them. |
▪ II. reserve, v.1 (
rɪˈzɜːv)
Also 4
rec-, 5
ress-, 4–5
Sc. reserwe.
[ad. OF. reserver (mod.F. réserver), ad. L. reservāre, f. re- re- + servāre to keep, save: cf. preserve.] 1. a. trans. To keep for future use or enjoyment; to store up
for (
† to) some time or occasion; to refrain from using or enjoying at once.
| 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 3928 Þus pardon in purgatory availles,..bot som clerkes counsailles Þat we it spare and reserve halely, Until we com til purgatory. c 1400 Love Bonavent. Life Christ (B.N.C.) lf. 60 It is leuefulle to goddis seruauntes forto haue money and reserue it to hir nede. 1621 T. Williamson tr. Goulart's Wise Vieillard 123 Pleasure seemes to reserue her dainties to the last, and for the last seruice and messe. 1667 Milton P.L. viii. 50 Such pleasure she reserv'd, Adam relating, she sole Auditress. 1709 Swift in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 340, I shall reserve the rest of my threatnings till further provocation. 1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 31 July, I..have reserved my thanks to the conclusion. 1824 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. ii. xi. 294 The appeal to the gentler emotions of the soul is reserved..for the close of his oration. 1841 Lane Arab. Nts. I. 100, I have not reserved my tear but for the time of my difficulty. |
b. To keep back or hold over to a later time or place or for further treatment; to postpone the discussion, decision, or declaration of (a matter). Const.
for,
to, etc., and
† with
infin. as
obj.| 1382 Wyclif Jude i. 6 Aungels that kepten not his princehed..he reseruede in to the doom of greet God, in euerelastinge boondis vndir derknesse. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 74 God reservis till his jugement all secrete misdedis. 1535 Coverdale 2 Pet. ii. 9 How to reserue the vniust vnto the daye of iudgment for to be punyshed. 1581 G. Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. ii. (1586) 52 It shall suffice for this time to discourse onelie of publike Conuersation, and the other wee will reserue for tomorrow. 1602 Shakes. Ham. i. iii. 69 Take each mans censure; but reserue thy iudgement. 1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett. 53, I will reserve to speak as I ought of this rare vertue, till my great work come to light. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 231 They..add every day part of that which they have reserved to the real growth of that day they cry it on. 1714 Addison Spect. No. 556 ¶2, I shall reserve for another time the History of such Club or Clubs. 1838 Thirlwall Greece V. 217 The great rebellion.., as it is not immediately connected with the affairs of Greece, we reserve for more particular notice in another place. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 72 Its full discussion must be reserved for the next chapter. |
c. refl. To keep (oneself) in reserve
for some occasion, etc.
| 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. vii. §6 Adrian..desired to comprehend all things, and not to reserve himself for the worthiest things. c 1645 Howell Lett. II. 76 (Cent.), Farewel, my noble Friend, cheer up, and reserve yourself for better Days. 1876 J. Parker Paracl. i. v. 56 Little natures reserve themselves for great occasions: majestic natures make all occasions great. |
† d. refl. To restrain (oneself) from action or participation in some affair.
Obs. rare.
| 1586 Jas. VI in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. III. 14 Reserve up youre self na langer in the earnist dealing for my Mother. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. i. 16 It is the custom of the Italians, to constrain and reserve themselves as much as possibly. |
2. a. To retain as one's own; to keep
to or
for oneself.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxiv. (Pelagia) 274 Scho..hale hyr gud to-gyddir brocht, reseruand til hyr richt nocht. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. v. x. 1935 God has reserwit til hym all [Þe] wit of þat þat is to fal. 1464 Mann. & Househ. Exp. (Roxb.) 187 The bayles and al hoder thenges resservede to myselfe as they ware befor. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xviii. 67 In suche a wyse that no thynge I haue reserued for my selfe but that it was alle habandouned vnto the. 1530 Palsgr. 688/1 It is good to be lyberall but ever reserve somwhat to your selfe. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 611/1 [They] acknowledged King Henry for theyr soverayne lord, reserving yet..unto themselves all theyr owne former priviledges. 1613 Heywood Silver Age i. i. Wks. 1874 III. 95 Onely the Darreine tower I still reserue In that to pennance me a life retir'd. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 71 Man over men He made not Lord; such title to himself Reserving. 1783 Pennant Tour Chester to Lond. 76 It is conjectured, that the king at that time reserved this manor to himself. 1824 Excursion U.S. & Canada 408 They are induced to sell their lands..although they generally reserve a small tract for themselves. 1877 Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. i. iii. 35 Every question..in which an ecclesiastic was a party, the Church courts had endeavoured to reserve for themselves. |
† b. To keep (a matter) from the knowledge of others.
Obs.| 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 322 The Ideas of Things which we form in our Minds, perfectly reserved, and not communicated to any. 1725 Pope Odyss. iii. 107 Of all the chiefs, this hero's fate alone Has Jove reserved, unheard of, and unknown. 1727–38 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Reservation, A proposition which,..if qualified with something reserved or concealed in the mind, becomes true. |
3. a. To set apart, keep (
† to or)
for another. Also
occas. without
const.| 1382 Wyclif Gen. xxvii. 36 Whethir thow hast not reseruyd, he seith, to me thi blissyng? 1382 ― 2 Pet. ii. 17 To whom the thicke mijst of derknessis is reserued. c 1400 Gower Addr. Hen. IV in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 12 So schal thin highe mede be reserved To him which al schal qwiten ate laste. c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 2088 Then shall ye haue the triumphall guerdoun That God reserueth to euery creature. 1494 Fabyan Chron. i. xiv. 15 The Fader..for the thirde, Cordeilla, reserued no thynge. a 1547 Surrey in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 23 And that I haue deserued..Is to his handes reserued That neuer felt the smart. 1584 D. Powel Lloyd's Cambria 101 After the death of Edward to reserue the crowne to the dukes use. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iii. iv. 46 Macb. The Table's full. Lennox. Heere is a place reseru'd Sir. a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 234, I pray you give me by writing, that you deny it, reserving me yet your safe Conduct to return. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 768 Was..to us deni'd This intellectual food, for beasts reserv'd? 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxviii, Happiness, I fear, is no longer reserved for me here. 1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xxxv, Thy churlish courtesy for those Reserve, who fear to be thy foes. 1874 Green Short Hist. ii. §7. 95 [He] exacted from him..a humiliation which men reserved for the deadliest of their foes. |
b. In
pass. with reference to discoveries or important achievements.
| 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. ii. §1 This discovery was reserved to our times. 1833 N. Arnott Physics (ed. 5) II. 100 It was reserved for Mr. Dalton to make the admirable discovery [etc.]. 1864 Bryce Holy Rom. Emp. xiii. (1875) 205 The third and crowning triumph of the Holy See was reserved for the thirteenth century. 1894 J. T. Fowler Adamnan Introd. 56 It was reserved for Columba to evangelize the Northern Picts. |
4. Eccl. a. To set apart, keep back (cases for absolution) to be dealt with by a superior authority. Const.
to,
for. (
Cf. reservation 1 c.)
| c 1357 Lay Folks' Catech. (T.) 257 Yit may we noght be assoiled of our false athe, Bot of our bisshop or him that has his power, For swilk cas is riuely reserved til him seluen. 1727–38 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Reserve, Certain cases,..called reserved cases, as being reserved to the bishop. 1846 W. Maskell Mon. Rit. (1882) I. 97 In the Constitutions published in 1367 by Thoresby, archbishop of York, thirty-seven cases are reserved to the archbishop himself. 1876 Mr. Gray & Neighb. I. 97 It would be a difficult case of conscience..that he should feel bound to ‘reserve’ for his bishop. 1884 Catholic Dict. (1897) 786/1 Papal cases are reserved to the Pope—episcopal cases to the bishop. |
b. To set apart (benefices) for presentation by the Pope.
rare—1. (
Cf. reservation 1 b.)
| c 1380 Wyclif Last Age Ch. (1840) 24 For no more schulde fatte beneficis be reserved þanne smale, ȝif no pryuy cause of symonye were tretide. |
5. a. To retain or secure (some right or profit) for oneself or another by formal stipulation;
† to provide or stipulate
that. (Chiefly in legal use.)
| c 1407 Lydg. Reson & Sens. 1665 And specialy to be reserved That peyse and novmbre be observed, Throgh rethoryke, as in sentence. 1442 Rolls of Parlt. V. 57/2 Reservyng to the seide Feffeez ii{supm} li yerely. 1532 Dial. on Laws Eng. ii. xxii. 43 b, If a man make a feffement and reserue the profites..that reseruacion is voyde in the lawe. 1570 Act 13 Eliz. c. 8 §5 Contracts..whereupon is not reserved..to the Lender..above the Sum of ten Pound. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 35 Bot gif he hes na wife, the time of his deceis, the ane just halfe of the gudes, is reservand to him, to be disponed as he pleases. 1641 Termes de la Ley 242 b, If a lease bee mad for yeares of ground, reserving the great trees growing upon the same,..the lessee may not meddle with them. 1791 Kames Dict. Decis. (ed. 2) I. 292 A father having reserved a faculty to burden the estate with wadsets,..this was found not a real burden. 1818 Hallam Middle Ages (1872) I. 195 Military service does not appear to have been reserved in the beneficiary grants made to cathedrals. 1883 Law Rep. 11 Q.B. Div. 575 The tenant is not concluded by the amount of rent which may have been reserved on the premises. |
b. To set apart (a portion of rent) for payment
in corn, etc.
| 1575–6 Act 18 Eliz. c. 6 §1 That thone thirde parte at the leaste of tholde Rente be reserved and paide in Corne for the saide Colleges. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. xx. 318 Antiently the greater part of rents were reserved in provisions. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. i. v. I. 40 The rents which have been reserved in corn have preserved their value much better than those which have been reserved in money. |
6. a. To set (a thing) apart for some purpose or with some end in view; to keep
for some use.
| 1415 E.E. Wills (1882) 23, I woll that Isabell my wyfe haue..all my corne..oute take xl quarters of wete reserued to fullfell with my wille. 1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 31, I wil mine ffeffes and executours, so it hurte not the sale, reserve the gardyn that it may longe to the longe tyled hous. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 612/1 They use to place him that shalbe theyr Captayne, uppon a stone allwayes reserved for that purpose, and placed commonly upon a hill. 1637 Decree Star Chamb. §33 in Arber Milton's Areop. 23 Euery Printer shall reserue one Book..and shall..deliuer it to the Officer..to be sent to the Librarie at Oxford. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 253 Distinguish all betimes,..Whom to reserve for Husband of the Herd. 1788 Gibbon Decl. & F. l. V. 175 Their powers are reserved for the moments of flight and pursuit. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. v. 162 Jaffier..offered to accept of his mediation; reserving in his mind the use of every clandestine effort to accomplish his own designs. 1892 S. C. Scrivener Our Fields & Cities 112 The 300 acres reserved (for poor men's gardens). |
b. To set (a person) apart
for some fate, destiny, end, etc.
† Also
const. to. Now
rare.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 95 He wasted þe south marche, sleynge þe males, reservynge þe females to his lust. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 477 Canutus..revivynge, was gladde that he was reservede to lyfe that he myȝhte do penaunce. 1513 Douglas æneis v. xi. 52 O pepill vnhappy, to quhat mischevous end Fortoun reservis ȝow of this warld to wend? 1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. ii. 130 The Gods having made all thynges mortall, so have they reserved onely themselves to bee immortall. 1595 Daniel Civ. Wars i. cix, Now reserued in our age, To home confusion and disordered rage. c 1645 Howell Lett. (1650) I. i. xxvi. 42, I hope God hath reserv'd me for a better destiny. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 161 We are decreed, Reserv'd and destin'd to Eternal woe. 1826 Scott Woodst. xix, Good God! for what am I reserved! a 1873 Lytton Pausanias i. i, Worthy of the destinies for which I foresee that the son of Miltiades is reserved. |
† c. To make an exception of, or in favour of (a thing or person); to except or exempt (one)
from something.
Obs.| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccclxxxvi. 656 For they knowe well ynoughe howe ye were in Scotlande, wherfore they shulde haue reserued you. 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. Wks. 1204/2 There be very few..reserued also, but that they set theyr heart verye sore theron. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage ix. ix. 725 The old Men, Women, and sick Folks were reserued from this Tribute. 1635 Quarles Embl. i. i. 5 Our great Creator did Reserve this Tree, and this alone forbid. a 1806 Horsley Serm. xxii. (1816) II. 211 In this same decree, which so remarkably reserves the abstinence from blood, the Sabbath is not at all reserved as a thing either of necessity or expedience. |
d. In pottery decoration, etc.: to leave in the original colour of the material or the colour of the background. Usu. as
pa. pple.| 1875 Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 641 In the white spaces reserved are now blocked steam colours. 1885 L. M. Solon Art Old Eng. Potter (ed. 2) iii. 86 A space was reserved between the two ridges, leaving a hollow to be filled in by slips of divers colours. 1908 J. F. Blacker ABC of Collecting Old Eng. China (ed. 2) 41 Rich ground colours were successfully employed... Panels were reserved in white for painting. 1972 Trans. Oriental Ceramic Soc. XXXVIII. 123 Round the sides are six small landscapes in panels reserved in red and gilt trellis-diapered ground. |
e. To exempt (a person) from military service because he is engaged in an important civilian occupation. Also, to class (a civilian occupation) as high-priority, thereby exempting many of those employed in it from military service.
| 1915 Local Govt. Board Circular No. R.4: 1st Suppl. 1 Mechanics and electricians engaged in the maintenance and repair of tools and machinery, engine men and stokers..have already been reserved in all trades. 1915, etc. [implied in reserved occupation]. 1922 Encycl. Brit. XXXI. 705/2 In a public announcement the list of starred occupations subsequently reserved was set out as follows: [etc.]. 1940 [see reservation 3 d]. 1941 Illustrated 13 Sept. 9/1 Farm workers are reserved at twenty-five, but I knew many of the farm-hands had already joined up. 1950 O. Blakeston Pink Ribbon ii. 27 Then..along came the war... I was ‘reserved’ because of my occupation. |
7. a. To retain or preserve alive; to exempt from slaughter; to save
from death. Now
rare.
| 1382 Wyclif Gen. xii. 12 Thei shal slee me, and thee thei shall reserue. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 215/1 Thou hast power ouer my flesshe but cryst reserueth my soule. 1555 Eden Decades Pref. to Rdr., Reseruynge such as were ouercome in the warres and conuertynge them to a better mynde. 1592 Kyd Sp. Trag. i. ii. 104 Men of warre, Such as warres fortune hath reseru'd from death. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. v. i. 472 One in the prison That should by priuate order else haue dide, I haue reseru'd aliue. 1625 Bacon Ess., Viciss. Things (Arb.) 569 In the other two Destructions,..the Remnant of People, which hap to be reserued, are commonly Ignorant and Mountanous People. 1848 A. Jameson Sacr. & Leg. Art (1850) 101 The legend which supposes St. John reserved alive has not been generally received in the Church. |
† b. To leave untouched or intact; to refrain from removing or destroying.
Obs.| 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 46 Some reserue a locke vpon the top of the head. a 1679 W. Outram Serm. (1682) 304 These men must find out some distinctions whereby they may..reserve that hand. |
† 8. a. To keep or maintain (a person or thing) in a certain state or condition.
Obs.| 1514 Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) 12 But suche as were fayre, and of theyr stature ryght As wyse and subtyle reserved she in syght. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 144 He was euer more quyet and restfull in hymselfe, and reserued his spiryt euer at liberty. 1590 C'tess Pembroke Antonie 1353 You euer-liuing Gods..which..subiect to no chaunge Chaunge all, reseruing nothing in one state. 1632 Lithgow Trav. ii. 73 He reserueth vnder his commaund, fourty thousand..Horse-men. 1633 Heywood Eng. Trav. ii. i, Till that day come, you shall reserve yourself A single man. |
† b. To retain (a person) in one's service.
Obs.| 1526 Skelton Magnyf. 1723 Thynke you with Magnyfycence I shal be reserued? |
† c. To retain (a thing) unaltered.
Obs. rare—1.
| 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 95 Phi. You blamed my beginning, yet haue you altred it nothing. Ma. I haue indeede reserued your beginning. |
† 9. a. To keep in store; to lay up as a store or stock; to deposit for preservation.
Obs.| 1480 in Gross Gild Merch. (1890) II. 70 Ye shall see that all dutis that lengithe to the yelde of the Trynnytie be trewly rerit and reservit by yowr powers. 1538 Starkey England ii. i. 151 A certayn summe..the wych..schold ever be reseruyd in a commyn place. 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 25 Palaces in which the artillery or armure of the cytie is reserued. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage vii. xii. (1614) 707 Their water is raine water, reserued in Cisternes. 1657 S. Purchas Pol. Flying-Ins. 205 If wee negligently reserved hens, or other food, in the morning, wee should have onely bones. 1692 Ray Creation i. (ed. 2) 200 Stagnating Water, reserved in Pools and Cisterns. |
† b. To keep, preserve (things liable to decay or destruction).
Obs.| 1555 Eden Decades 57 Certeine fruites..whiche they reserue for store as wee doo chestnuttes. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iii. i. 69 b, The snow..being reserued in these colde places serueth in whotte weather too refreshe..his drinke. 1605 Camden Rem., Epitaphs 27 The ægyptians embalmed and filled them with odoriferous spices, reseruing them in glasse or coffins. 1658 Evelyn Fr. Gard. (1675) 248 Pull as many of them out of the ground, as you desire to reserve. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 51 ¶6 The best methods of conserving, reserving, and preserving fruits. |
† c. intr. To remain, to continue in existence or in a certain state.
Obs.| 1529 More Dyaloge ii. Wks. 179/2 Yf theyr opinions hadde any where continuallye endured there woulde theyr bokes haue continually reserued. 1632 Lithgow Trav. vi. 258 The water of Iordan..will reserue vnspoiled, both moneths and yeares. 1641 H. L'Estrange God's Sabbath 26 Because it [manna] tainted against nature, and miraculously reserved upon other dayes. |
† 10. a. To keep in one's possession.
Obs.| 1533 More Apol. v. Wks. 851/1 The copye that was deliuered me (which copy I reserue and kepe for my declaracion). c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. xxxii, Though they be out-stript by every pen, Reserue them for my loue, not for their rime. 1604 ― Oth. iii. iii. 295 She so loues the Token,..That she reserues it euermore about her. |
† b. To keep, preserve (antiquities, relics, etc.).
| 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 169 They do yet reserve..a Mace and a Horne, assured badges of an incorporation. 1605 Verstegan Dec. Intell. iv. (1628) 106 The head whereof which is yet reserued, myselfe haue seen. 1648 J. Raymond Il Merc. Ital. 93 In the next Church the Pillars are reserv'd in wodden cases, which Saint Peter and Saint Paul were tyde too. a 1653 Gouge Comm. Heb. xiii. 7 An Idolatrous practise of..offering oblations unto them, and of reserving their Reliques. 1708 Burnet Trav. (ed. 3) 225 The vast Vaults..and the Remains of Antiquity, that are reserved in them. |
† c. Of places: To contain, retain (things) in or on themselves.
Obs. rare.
| 1632 Lithgow Trav. vi. 255 [The Dead Sea] breedeth nor reserueth no kinde of fishes. Ibid. x. 447 The Snowy Alpes..reserue continually Snow on their tops. |
11. Eccl. To retain or preserve (a portion of the consecrated elements) for certain purposes. (
Cf. reservation 6.)
| 1548–9 Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion of Sick, And if the same day there be a celebracion of the holy communion in the Churche, then shal the priest reserue (at the open communion) so muche of the Sacrament..as shal serue the sicke person. 1571 Thirty-nine Art. xxviii, The Sacrament of the Lordes Supper was not, by Christes ordinaunce reserued, caryed about, lyfted vp, or worshipped. a 1626 Bp. Andrewes Answ. Perron (1854) 19 Against the time of extremity it was thought not amiss to have it reserved. 1832 W. Palmer Orig. Liturg. II. viii. 229 The custom of the Christian Church has been to reserve the sacraments of Christ's body and blood from the public liturgy, and not to consecrate them in private. 1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers III. ii. xi. 41 A portion of the eucharist, under one kind alone, was always reserved in the church, from each mass to the other. |
| absol. 1900 Dibdin Reserv. 4 Do you reserve in both kinds? |
† 12. To retain or preserve, to continue to have, possess, or show (a characteristic, quality, mark, etc.).
Obs. (common
c 1585–1635.)
| 1570 Buchanan Chamæleon Wks. (S.T.S.) 53 [He] threatenit schamefullie (gif he had reservit any schame) the quenis maiestie of Ingland. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iv. xx. 134 Armenia the greater, nowe called Turcomania, and Armenia the lesser, which yet reserueth his name. 1632 Lithgow Trav. ix. 405, I had done that..which neuer man had done before me reseruing life. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 305 The Persians had this Character of old,..of all men the most civil; which disposition they reserve unto this day. 1726 Leoni Alberti's Archit. I. 45/2 A liquid..substance, which..when harden'd..reserves in the mass the original figure of its parts. |
13. = book v. 4 a, b. Also
absol.| 1935 R. Macaulay Personal Pleasures 20, I never reserve seats in advance, it is quite too much trouble... If a railway ticket does not get me on to a French train, then France is not the land of liberty, equality or fraternity. 1936 G. B. Shaw Simpleton ii. 70 There are such a lot of priests in the world, Iddy. It would be impossible to reserve seats for them all. 1967 L. Deighton Expensive Place iii. 23 What say to La Coupole? It's one of the few places..where we don't have to reserve. |