Dictionary entry

Conservative (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Con‐serv″a‐tive (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, preserves from ruin, injury, innovation, or radical change; a preserver; a conserver.

The Holy Spirit is the great conservative of the new life.

Jer. Taylor.

2. One who desires to maintain existing institutions and customs; also, one who holds moderate opinions in politics; — opposed to revolutionary or radical.

3. (Eng. Hist.) A member of the Conservative party.