The actual original definition is that change in society is slow or non-existent (we conserve the current state) unlike liberalism which says change is a constant (progressive) and relative to each persons morals (moral relativity, if it feels good do it).
But in our modern political discussion, most people really mean libertarian when they say conservative. Someone who believes in the LEAST amount of government interference in your life to include ZERO provisions for your welfare. Welfare of fellow citizens is the domain of charity and religion and should not be created by STEALING the money of other citizens. Social Security, Welfare, Medicare, outlawing drugs, outlawing gay marriage; while I may dislike certain things that some people do, it is every man's right (and this lines up with the Bible in case this is your concern) to do whatever he pleases as long as he does not infringe on the freedom of another. Jesus said "Love one another" and he said the entire law was based on this concept, but since people in general are too stupid, the 10 commandments and thousands of other rules followed. Our statutes and codes exist because people need them. Unfortunately, government takes advantage of this to write laws that TRESPASS on personal liberty. Everyone should be free to succeed or fail. That is true conservatism because we were ORIGINALLY created (if you believe that) as free willed beings and if nothing had changed, we would still be treated as free willed beings. THAT is where the confusion lies. God or Nature's law, whatever you prefer, says we are all born free to be whatever we want. We know this instinctively, either by design (God) or evolution, take your pick (you know where I stand by now, I think
) This is why I say that the morons on Fox are not "conservatives in either sense. They want change (anti-conservative) and it is change that does not create COMPLETE personal liberty. They believe in SOME restriction by government on personal liberty for whatever reason they feel benefits society, which means they disagree with original design (or evolution) of human society, they we were all created (or evolved) free and should remain so always.
And Republicanism as little to do with any of the above. The Republican party used to consist of people who have conservative values. That is where that confusion comes from. They are mostly liberal now, just at a slightly lesser degree than Democrats.
But that's just my opinion. Can you smell it?