'incorrectly-preserved' originates from the combination of 'incorrectly' and 'preserved'. 'Incorrectly' comes from the Latin 'incorrectus', where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'correctus' meant 'set right'. 'Preserved' comes from the Latin 'praeservare', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'servare' meant 'to keep'.

'incorrectly-preserved' changed from the combination of 'incorrectly' and 'preserved' in modern English usage.

Initially, it meant 'not kept in the correct condition', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.