conservative
Definitions
Favoring tradition and opposed to sudden change
保守的；守旧的
(of an estimate) deliberately low or cautious
（估计）保守的；偏低的
(of dress or style) plain and traditional
（着装/风格）朴素传统的
A person who holds conservative views (capitalized: a member of a Conservative party)
保守派人士；（大写）保守党党员
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedconserve + -ative ('tending to') = tending to keep things as they are. A conservative person wants to preserve existing ways; a conservative estimate keeps safely on the low side — both share the core idea of 'holding back from change or risk.'
Root serv still carries 62 more wordsWhy It Means This
The bridge between 'cautious estimate' and 'traditional politics' is the same root act of keeping things safe. A conservative estimate keeps you safe from overpromising; a political conservative keeps society safe from rapid change. Both 'conserve' — one conserves a margin, the other conserves tradition.
Common Collocations
- 1.conservative estimate保守估计
- 2.conservative approach稳妥的做法
- 3.politically conservative政治上保守
- 4.conservative values保守价值观
Example Sentences
- 1.
He holds fairly conservative views on social issues.
- 2.
Even by a conservative estimate, the repairs will cost thousands.
- 3.
She wore a conservative dark suit to the interview.