Conservations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The acts of protecting, preserving, or maintaining something in its original or existing state ; instances of informal or formal spoken exchanges between two or more people
2. Processes aimed at guarding natural resources, artworks, or any valued material to prevent loss or damage ; occasions where people communicate or discuss matters aloud
3. Efforts to keep environments, objects, or qualities intact or unchanged ; occurrences of verbal interaction or dialogue between individuals

Etymology: "Conservations" is simply the plural of "conservation," so its history is that of the singular noun. Conservation comes from Old French, where it was formed from "conserver" (to keep, preserve) and the suffix "-ation," which turns a verb into a noun of action or result. The stem traces back to Latin "conservare," built from "com-" (together, thoroughly) and "servare" (to keep, guard, watch over), the same root that gives English "preserve" and "observe." The plural form carries the second meaning given here: the spoken exchanges between people. Used in the plural, it refers to separate instances of conversation or talk, a sense that developed from the older idea of keeping company with or living among others. The mix of "keeping" and "talking" is what makes this plural unusual, since the singular is almost always read as preservation.