'shape-preserving' originates from Modern English compounding of the noun 'shape' and the present participle 'preserving'. 'Shape' ultimately comes from Old English 'sceap' (meaning 'form, appearance'), and 'preserve' comes from Latin 'praeservare' (from 'prae-' + 'servare'), where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'servare' meant 'to keep'.

'shape' changed from Old English 'sceap' to Middle English 'shape' and then to Modern English 'shape'. 'Preserve' came from Latin 'praeservare' → Old French 'preserver' → Middle English 'preserven'/'preserven' → Modern English 'preserve'. The compound 'shape-preserving' is a Modern English formation combining these elements.

Individually, 'shape' meant 'form' and 'preserve' meant 'to keep or protect'. Over time their compound has taken on the specific technical sense 'to keep the shape' (especially in mathematics and technical fields) rather than a more general sense of protection or conservation.