The word "reserved" is spelled /rɪˈzɜːvd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It begins with the consonant sound /r/, followed by the short vowel sound /ɪ/. The stress falls on the second syllable, which contains the syllabic consonant /z/, pronounced as a slightly longer /z/ sound. This is followed by the vowel sound /ɜː/, which is represented by the letter "e" but pronounced as a combination of /ɛ/ and /ʌ/. The word ends with the voiced consonant /d/. In general, English spelling can be complex and unpredictable, but learning about the IPA can help make it easier to understand.
Reserved is an adjective that has multiple meanings depending on the context. Generally, it refers to someone who is characterized by restraint, shyness, or a lack of expressiveness. In terms of personality, a reserved individual is typically introverted or quiet, often preferring to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves. They tend to maintain a certain level of distance or aloofness, not easily revealing their emotions or opinions.
Another usage of reserved is to describe a specific behavior or action. For instance, it can mean that something is set aside or saved for a particular purpose or person. In this sense, it suggests a deliberate act of retaining or withholding, often done to ensure availability or to show respect. For example, a table in a restaurant can be reserved for an important guest.
Reserved can also relate to making advance arrangements or booking, commonly used when referring to seats, tickets, or accommodations. In such cases, it implies that these items are not available for general use because they have been previously secured or reserved by someone else.
Furthermore, when used in the context of legal or contractual matters, reserved can indicate a condition or stipulation. It suggests that certain rights or privileges have been specifically preserved or excluded, often for future consideration or action.
Overall, reserved delineates a demeanor of quietness, self-restraint, and proper allocation, whether referring to a person's personality, the allocation of resources, or legal provisions.
Restrained; shy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "reserved" comes from the verb "reserve", which can be traced back to the Latin word "reservare". In Latin, "reservare" meant "to keep back, save up, retain". It is derived from the combination of "re-" (meaning "back") and "servare" (meaning "to keep, to guard"). Over time, the word "reserve" evolved into "reserved", with the latter used to describe someone who is cautious, reticent, or aloof in their behavior, indicating a tendency to hold back or keep to oneself.