mothproof

American  

[mawth-proof, moth-] / ˈmɔθˌpruf, ˈmɒθ- /

adjective

1. resistant to attack by moths.

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verb (used with object)

1. to render (fabric, clothing, etc.) mothproof.

mothproof British  

/ ˈmɒθˌpruːf /

adjective

1. (esp of clothes) chemically treated so as to repel clothes moths

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verb

1. (tr) to make (clothes, etc) mothproof

Other Word Forms

• mothproofer noun

Etymology

Origin of mothproof

First recorded in 1890–95; moth + -proof

Example Sentences

On days when routine chores like going to the post office or separating the laundry feel like punishments, the project of vacuum-sealing sweaters in mothproof storage bags seems unfeasible.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2024

Manhattan's Witty Bros., manufacturer and retailer of men's suits and coats, will mothproof its fall line with the "Boconize" process developed by Manhattan's Bocon Chemical Corp.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cheaper than sheep's wool, Ardil can be mixed with wool, cotton or rayon, is shrinkproof, mothproof, woolly-warm.

From Time Magazine Archive

The fibers can then be stiffened or softened, straightened or curled, made mothproof, shrinkproof, even waterproof.

From Time Magazine Archive

All these matters attended to, we may round out our day with insecticides by going to sleep under a mothproof blanket impregnated with dieldrin.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson