con·ser·va·tion /ˌkɒnsərˈveɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[kon-ser-vey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the act of conserving; prevention of injury, decay, waste, or loss; preservation: conservation of wildlife; conservation of human rights.
2. official supervision of rivers, forests, and other natural resources in order to preserve and protect them through prudent management.
3. a district, river, forest, etc., under such supervision.
4. the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion.
5. the restoration and preservation of works of art.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME conservacioun < L conservātiōn- (s. of conservātiō), equiv. to conservāt(us) (ptp. of conservāre to conserve; see -ate1) + -iōn- -ion]
—Related forms
con·ser·va·tion·al, adjective
—Synonyms 1. care, husbandry, protection.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
con·ster·na·tion /ˌkɒnstərˈneɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[kon-ster-ney-shuhn] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.
[Origin: 1605–15; < L consternātiōn- (s. of consternātiō). See consternate, -ion]
—Synonyms bewilderment, alarm, terror, fear, panic, fright, horror.
—Antonyms composure, equanimity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary – Cite This Source
con·ster·na·tion (kŏn’stər-nā’shən) Pronunciation Key
n. A state of paralyzing dismay. See Synonyms at fear.
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary – Cite This Source
consternation
1611, from Fr. consternation, from L. consternationem (nom. consternatio), from consternare “overcome, confuse, dismay,” from com- intensive prefix + sternare “throw down.”
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet – Cite This Source
consternation
noun
fear resulting from the awareness of danger [syn: alarm]
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
