[kənˈsəːvətɪv], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values
(e.g: they were very conservative in their outlook)

- (in a political context) favouring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas

- (of an estimate) purposely low for the sake of caution
(e.g: the film was not cheap—$30,000 is a conservative estimate)

- (of surgery or medical treatment) intended to control rather than eliminate a condition, with existing tissue preserved as far as possible


Phrases:
- conservative with a small ‘c’

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘aiming to preserve’): from late Latin conservativus, from conservat- ‘conserved’, from the verb conservare (see conserve). Current senses date from the mid 19th century

[kənˈsəːvətɪv], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a person who is averse to change and holds traditional values
(e.g: he was considered a conservative in his approach to Catholic teachings)

- a person favouring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially traditional ideas
(e.g: many conservatives remain opposed to mandates)


Phrases:
- conservative with a small ‘c’

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘aiming to preserve’): from late Latin conservativus, from conservat- ‘conserved’, from the verb conservare (see conserve). Current senses date from the mid 19th century