What does 'reserved' mean in this context?

English as a Second Language What do you want to talk about?
1

Hello teacher

could u please explain to me the meaning of reserved for in the following
example which i came across wile reading your previous newsletter Well, hello!
[size=75]http://www.english-test.net/newsletter/well-hello-96.html[/size]

Not so long ago the word «cheers» was reserved for when you raised your glass and drank to someone’s health and the other person or the others if it was a group responded with another «cheers». A variation of the word

thanks in advance

Hany

2

Hi,

‘… the word «cheers» was reserved for when you raised your glass …’

means as much as

‘… people would use the word «cheers» when they raised their glasses…’[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, photographs: Kids at the playground[YSaerTTEW443543]

3

Thanks for your reply

but does this mean that (was reserved for) mean that the word cheers
was used too much not so long ago

thanks

4

No, it’s just that the meaning of the word has been changing as Alan describes in his newsletter: ‘…and in the UK you might think it (cheers) was the most popular word in the language because you hear it endlessly…’[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEIC listening, photographs: A young family is out for a walk[YSaerTTEW443543]