mothball

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A small ball of chemical pesticide (originally camphor and now typically naphthalene or…

   A small ball of chemical pesticide (originally camphor and now typically naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) and deodorant placed in or around clothing and other articles to deter moth larvae which may damage them.

   • There were two carloads of equipments. Upon their return to the armory the blankets were shook and repacked with mothballs; […]
   • Me and Solly, as I now called him, prepared to shake off our moth-balls and wing our way against the arc-lights of the joyous and tuneful East.
2. 2

   To store (clothing, etc.) with mothballs (noun sense 1).

3. 3

   To stop using (something), and often to put it in storage

   To stop using (something), and often to put it in storage; specifically, while keeping it in good condition so it can be used in the future.

   • They mothballed the old version after the new one came out.
   • Following the war, along with the inevitable sharp reduction of forces, including the "mothballing" of a considerable part of the fleet as an inactive reserve, there were a few important developments affecting the navy.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      To stop work on (a plan, project, etc.) for the time being

      To stop work on (a plan, project, etc.) for the time being; to postpone, to shelve.

      • The fact that the START Treaty has just been signed is reason enough not to build one rail garrison train before mothballing the project.

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