How many letters does the top answer for “tending or having the power to preserve” have?

The most common answer is preservative (12 letters).

Crossword clue: tending or having the power to preserve

1 answer found in Letterora's clue database (Wikidata facts, Open Trivia DB, WordNet and Webster definitions — all licensed sources).

preservative 12 letters wn-def

a chemical compound that is added to protect against decay or decomposition

tending to transfuse; having power to transfuse. 60% similar → transfusive

having power to purify; tending to cleanse. 50% similar → purificative

tending or having power to consolidate; healing. 50% similar → consolidative