'imperfectly-preserved' originates from the combination of 'imperfectly' and 'preserved'. 'Imperfectly' comes from Latin 'imperfectus', where 'im-' meant 'not' and 'perfectus' meant 'completed'. 'Preserved' comes from Latin 'praeservare', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'servare' meant 'to keep'.

'Imperfectly-preserved' evolved from the combination of the words 'imperfectly' and 'preserved', which were used separately in Middle English and later combined in modern English.

Initially, 'imperfectly' meant 'not complete', and 'preserved' meant 'kept in its original state'. Together, they describe something not fully maintained in its original condition.