reserve

1. verb

To keep back, to retain, to keep in store for future or special use, and to retain or hold over to a future time. Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Strong Mfg. Co., C.C.A.6,124 F.2d 360, 363. To set aside funds, usually for indefinite contingencies, such as future maintenance of a structure, or to pay future claims

1. reserve, noun

Funds set aside to cover future expenses, losses, claims, or liabilities. Sums of money an insurer is required to set aside as a fund for the liquidation of future unaccrued and contingent claims, and claims accrued, but contingent and indefinite as to amount. Arrow Trucking Co. v. Continental Ins. Co., La., 465 So.2d 691, 696.

Reserves of insurance company are the amount treated as liability on the balance sheet which the company estimates will be sufficient to meet its policy obligations. United Life & Ace. Ins. Co. v. U.S., D.C.N.H., 329 F.Supp. 765, 768.

"With reserve" in an auction means that the thing will not be sold if the highest bid is not high enough.

To "reserve title" is to keep an ownership right as security that the thing will be fully paid for.