transitive verb reserved -·served′, reserving -·serv′·ing

1. to keep back, store up, or set apart for later use or for some special purpose
2. to hold over to a later time
3. to set aside or have set aside for a special person, etc. to reserve a theater seat
4. to keep back or retain for oneself to reserve the right to refuse

Etymology: ME reserven < OFr reserver < L reservare < re-, back + servare: see observe

noun

1. something kept back or stored up, as for later use or for a special purpose
2. a limitation or reservation: now rare except in without reserve (see phrase below)
3. the practice of keeping one's thoughts, feelings, etc. to oneself; self-restraint or aloofness in speech and manner
4. reticence; silence
5. restraint and control in artistic expression; freedom from exaggeration or extravagance
6. 1. available participants kept out of action for use in an emergency or for replacing active groups or units, as in sports or warfare
   2. personnel or units in the armed forces not on active duty but subject to call; militia: with the
7. cash, or assets readily turned into cash, held out of use by a bank, insurance company, or business to meet expected or unexpected demands
8. ☆ land set apart for a special purpose a forest reserve

adjective