Collins English-English Dictionary

reserve [rɪ'z3ːv]

1. 1. vt. [tr] to keep back or set aside, esp for future use or contingency; withhold

2. 2. n [Canadian] an area of land set aside, esp (in the US and Canada) for American or Canadian Indian peoples reservation

3. 3. vt. to keep for oneself; retain

   I reserve the right to question these men later

4. 4. vt. to obtain or secure by advance arrangement

   I have reserved two tickets for tonight's show

5. 5. vt. to delay delivery of (a judgment), esp in order to allow time for full consideration of the issues involved

6. 6. n something kept back or set aside, esp for future use or contingency

7. 7. n (as modifier)

   a reserve stock

8. 8. n the state or condition of being reserved

   I have plenty in reserve

9. 9. n a tract of land set aside for the protection and conservation of wild animals, flowers, etc

   a nature reserve

10. 10. n [Austral and NZ] an area of publicly owned land set aside for sport, recreation, etc

11. 11. n the act of reserving; reservation

12. 12. n a member of a team who only plays if a playing member drops out; a substitute

13. 13. n [often plural] a part of an army or formation not committed to immediate action in a military engagement

14. 14. n that part of a nation's armed services not in active service

15. 15. n coolness or formality of manner; restraint, silence, or reticence

16. 16. n [finance] a portion of capital not invested (a capital reserve) or a portion of profits not distributed (a revenue or general reserve) by a bank or business enterprise and held to meet legal requirements, future liabilities, or contingencies

17. 17. n [often plural] liquid assets held by an organization, government, etc, to meet expenses and liabilities

18. 18. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French reserver, from Latin reservare to save up, from re- + servare to keep