conservative

a. [ Cf. F. conservatif. ] 1. Having power to preserve in a safe of entire state, or from loss, waste, or injury; preservative. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Tending or disposed to maintain existing institutions; opposed to change or innovation. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Of or pertaining to a political party which favors the conservation of existing institutions and forms of government, as the Conservative party in England; -- contradistinguished from Liberal and Radical. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have always been conscientiously attached to what is called the Tory, and which might with more propriety be called the Conservative, party. Quart. Rev. (1830). [ 1913 Webster ]

Conservative system (Mech.), a material system of such a nature that after the system has undergone any series of changes, and been brought back in any manner to its original state, the whole work done by external agents on the system is equal to the whole work done by the system overcoming external forces. Clerk Maxwell. [ 1913 Webster ]