servARE

servare is a Latin verb of the first conjugation, meaning to keep, guard, save, preserve, or observe. It covers both saving someone or something from danger and the broader sense of maintaining or keeping in a certain state over time. The principal parts are servo, servare, servavi, servatum. In Latin texts, the sense can range from physical rescue to upholding laws, customs, or obligations.

In use, servare appears across many domains. It can describe preserving a law or contract (for example, people or authorities keeping laws), guarding a fortress, saving a life, or maintaining a tradition or habit. It also appears in religious or moral contexts, such as keeping faith or keeping commandments. Grammatically, it is a transitive verb with a variety of constructions and typical present indicative forms like servat, servas, servamus, as well as many other tenses and voices found in Latin verb conjugation.

Derivatives and legacy: the root of servare has influenced many Romance languages and related terms that carry senses of keeping, preserving, or attending. In English, several words ultimately descend from Latin forms built with servare, notably conservare (to preserve) and reservare (to set aside or keep in reserve), illustrating how the concept of keeping or saving is central to the verb’s legacy.

In summary, servare is a foundational Latin verb central to expressions of saving, preserving, keeping, and observing, with broad usage in classical literature and enduring influence on later Romance vocabularies.