[pri-zur-vuh-tiv] 
| 1. | something that preserves or tends to preserve. |
| 2. | a chemical substance used to preserve foods or other organic materials from decomposition or fermentation. |
| 3. | tending to preserve. |
| pre·ser·va·tive (prĭ-zûr'və-tĭv) adj. Tending to preserve or capable of preserving. n. Something used to preserve, especially a chemical added to foods to inhibit spoilage. |
preservative pre·ser·va·tive (prĭ-zûr'və-tĭv)
n.
A substance added to food products or to organic solutions to prevent decomposition due to chemical change or bacterial action.
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