liberal vs. *conservative* - defining terms

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conservative /knsvtv/ a. & n. LME. [Late L conservativus, f. L

conservat-: see CONSERVATION, -ATIVE.] A adj.

 

1 Characterized by a tendency to preserve or keep intact and unchanged;

preservative (of). LME. b Physics. Characterized by conservation (sense

3). L19.

 

2 (Usu. C-.) Of, supporting, or characteristic of the Conservative Party

(see below) of Great Britain, or an analogous political party in another

country. M19.

 

3 Characterized by caution, moderation, or reluctance to make changes;

(of views, taste, etc.) avoiding extremes. M19.

b Of an estimate etc.: purposely low. E20.

 

Special collocations: Conservative and Unionist Party:

 

Conservative Jew an adherent of Conservative Judaism.

 

Conservative Judaism a movement favouring certain non-essential

adaptations or relaxations of Jewish law and tradition.

 

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Excerpted from Oxford Talking Dictionary

1998 The Learning Company, Inc. .