'semi-preserved' originates from Latin and English elements: the prefix 'semi-' (from Latin 'semi') meaning 'half' and the participial element 'preserved' from Latin 'praeservare', where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'servare' meant 'to keep'.

'preserve' came into English via Old French 'preserver' from Latin 'praeservare' and entered Middle English as 'preserven/preserven', later becoming modern English 'preserve'; the prefix 'semi-' was attached in modern English formation to create compounds such as 'semi-preserved'.

Initially, 'preserve' meant 'to keep safe or protect' and 'semi-' meant 'half'; combined, 'semi-preserved' developed the straightforward modern sense of 'partly kept safe/maintained' ('partially preserved').