Historical Preservation Terms

adjective an adjective that describes something as being worn out, broken down, or in a state of disrepair

• The decrepit building was in need of major renovations.
• That decrepit old house is falling apart.
• I can't believe how decrepit that car is, it's a total junker.
• His decrepit state of mind was evident in his lack of enthusiasm for anything.

noun an act of defiling or the state of being defiled

verb to make something unclean or impure

• The company was fined for defiling the environment by illegally dumping toxic waste.
• Please don't defile the park by littering everywhere.
• I can't believe they defiled that historic building with graffiti.
• His actions defiled the trust we had in him.

noun the process of preserving a dead body by treating it with chemicals, drugs, or other substances to prevent decay

• The process of embalming is commonly used to preserve a body for a viewing or funeral service.
• Have you ever wondered what embalming actually entails?
• I heard they're going to embalm the party scene with some killer music.
• The artist's use of color embalms the painting with emotion.

noun a stale, moldy, or damp smell or condition

• The old library was filled with the mustiness of ancient books.
• I can't stand the mustiness in this basement, we need to air it out.
• The mustiness in this room is giving me the heebie-jeebies.
• The mustiness of their relationship was evident in the way they barely spoke to each other.

adjective Pristine is an adjective that describes something that is in its original condition; unspoiled or untouched.

• The scientist collected water samples from the pristine lake for analysis.
• The beach was so pristine, it looked like it had never been touched.
• Dang, that car is pristine! It's like brand new.
• Her reputation in the industry is pristine, untarnished by any scandal.

adjective in a state of severe disrepair; lacking structure or organization

• The ramshackle building was deemed uninhabitable by the city inspectors.
• We found a ramshackle cabin in the woods for our weekend getaway.
• That old car is so ramshackle, it's a miracle it still runs.
• His ramshackle excuse for being late didn't fool anyone.

noun a route or system of streetcars

• The new streetcar line will greatly improve public transportation in the city.
• I heard they're extending the streetcar line to reach more neighborhoods.
• The streetcar line is the bomb for getting around town.
• The streetcar line is like a lifeline connecting different parts of the city.

adjective a descriptive word used to modify a noun, indicating the poor or dilapidated condition of a building or structure

• The tumbledown house was in desperate need of repair.
• We found a tumbledown cabin in the woods for our camping trip.
• That tumbledown shack is a real fixer-upper.
• After the scandal, his reputation was left tumbledown.

noun a book or database used to keep track of items added to a collection or inventory

• The archivist diligently maintains the accessions register to keep track of all new acquisitions.
• Hey, have you seen the accessions register? I need to add a new item to the collection.
• I'll just jot down the details in the accessions register real quick.
• The accessions register is like a treasure map for the museum's latest additions.