Definition of Mothball

1. Noun. A small sphere of camphor or naphthalene used to keep moths away from stored clothing.

Exact synonyms: Camphor Ball
Generic synonyms: Ball, Globe, Orb
Terms within: Camphor, Naphthalene

2. Verb. Put into long-term storage. "They mothball the cape "
Generic synonyms: Store

Definition of Mothball

1. Noun. a small ball of chemical pesticide and deodorant placed in or around clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae in order to protect them from this damage; mothballs have either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as their active ingredient. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) to store or shelve (something that is no longer used) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Mothball

1. to put into storage [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Mothball

motets
motett
motetts
motey
moth
moth-eaten
moth-eaten alopecia
moth-er
moth-resistant
moth bean
moth miller
moth mullein
moth orchid
moth patch
moth plant
mothball (current term)
mothballed
mothballing
mothbally
mothed
mothen
mother's boy
mother's daughter
mother's line
mother's milk
mother's son
mother-child relations

Literary usage of Mothball

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. OECD Economic Surveys by OECD Staff (2004)
"It may be preferable to mothball (but not necessarily decommission) such plants as an insurance policy against possible future capacity constraints or the ..."

2. Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in Book Clubs and Reading Groups by Harvey Daniels (2002)
"So, yes, when other demands or opportunities arise, you can "mothball" literature circles for a week or a month, bringing them back later with confidence ..."

3. America, a Minority Viewpoint by Walter Edward Williams (1982)
"That being the case, we could buy ships from other countries now, at half price, mothball them, and have a merchant marine fleet twice as large in the event ..."

4. Apollo's Warriors: United States Air Force Special Operations During the by Michael E. Haas (1998)
"... been pulled from USAF's mothball fleet, all other aircraft came directly from the manufacturer's factories. The 581st would be the only ARCW to actually ..."

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