Conservatizing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process of making something more traditional or resistant to change
2. Applying conservative principles to an idea or movement in an effort to preserve its core values
3. Transforming perspectives or practices to align with conservative ideologies and reduce liberal influences

Etymology: "Conservatizing" is the present participle of "conservatize," which is formed by adding the verbal suffix "-ize" to "conservative." The suffix comes from Greek "-izein," used to turn nouns and adjectives into verbs meaning "to make or become something," so the verb carries the sense of making something more conservative, or more traditional in character. The base word "conservative" traces back through Old French "conservatif" to the Latin "conservare," meaning "to keep, preserve, or guard," built from "com-" (together, thoroughly) and "servare" (to keep safe). The same root gives English "conserve" and "preserve," so the idea of keeping something intact runs through the whole family.