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# well-preserved

adjective (well-preserved)

«well-preserved» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, humorous) old but still looking good or young for one's age.
2. (literal) kept in good condition for a long time, e.g. a building, a fossil, food.

### In the lessons

Used to compliment an older person (often a bit cheekily: it reminds them they're old). The literal sense is common in history, museums and science.

### Examples

- (compliment) She's very well-preserved for her age.
- (joke) "You're well-preserved, Grandpa!" "Like a pickle?"
- (museum) The mummy is remarkably well-preserved.
- (history) This is a well-preserved Roman road.
- (science) Well-preserved fossils show the dinosaur's feathers.
- (food) Salt keeps fish well-preserved.

### Note

Trap: a compliment that can sound like a backhanded one — it says «old». Literal for fossils, buildings and food. Hyphen before a noun.