mothball

[ mawth-bawl, moth- ]

noun

1. a small ball of naphthalene or sometimes of camphor for placing in closets or other storage areas to repel moths from clothing, blankets, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to put into storage or reserve; inactivate.

adjective

1. inactive; unused; stored away:

   a mothball fleet.

mothball

/ ˈmɒθˌbɔːl /

noun

1. Also calledcamphor ball a small ball of camphor or naphthalene used to repel clothes moths in stored clothing, blankets, etc
2. put in mothballs
   to postpone work on (a project, activity, etc)

verb

1. to prepare (a ship, aircraft, etc) for a long period of storage by sealing all openings with plastic to prevent corrosion
2. to take (a factory, plant, etc) out of operation but maintain it so that it can be used in the future
3. to postpone work on (a project, activity, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of mothball¹

First recorded in 1905–10; moth + ball ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in mothballs,
   1. in disuse or in storage, especially with reference to standby equipment.
   2. (of ideas) dismissed as unworthy of further deliberation.

Related Words

• conserve
• defend
• freeze
• keep
• perpetuate
• protect
• retain
• safeguard
• save
• secure
• store
• sustain
• uphold