kənˈsə:vətɪv adj. & n. --adj. 1 a
averse to
rapid change. b (of views,
taste, etc.)
moderate, avoiding extremes (conservative in
his dress). 2 (of an
estimate etc.)
purposely low; moderate,
cautious. 3 (Conservative) of or
characteristic of Conservatives or
the Conservative Party. 4 tending to
conserve. --n. 1 a conservative
person. 2 (Conservative) a
supporter or
member of the Conservative Party. øConservative
Judaism Judaism allowing
only minor changes in
traditional ritual etc. Conservative Party 1 a
British political party promoting
free enterprise and private ownership. 2 a
similar party
elsewhere. conservative
surgery surgery
that seeks to
preserve tissues as
far as
possible. øøconservatism n. conservatively adv. conservativeness n. [ME f. LL conservativus (as conserve)]