mothball

Meaning

Noun

A small ball of chemical pesticide (typically naphthalene) 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.

Verb

1. (transitive) To store or shelve something no longer used.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To stop using (something), but keep it in good condition.

Synonyms

camphor ball

lay in

preserve

put in

salt away

store

tracer bullet

warehouse

stash away

hive away

cache

stack away

Translations

Mottenkugel

pallina di naftalina

mottenbal

mettere in naftalina

in de mottenballen leggen

النّفتالين

naftalina

bola de càmfora

pallina tarmicida

bola de naftalina

einmotten

Pronounced as (IPA)

/mɒθbɔːl/

Etymology

From moth + ball.