Definition of mothball
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a ball made formerly of camphor but now often of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene and used to keep moths from clothing
2
mothballs plural
: a condition of protective storage
put the ships in mothballs after the war
also
: a state of having been rejected for further use or dismissed from further consideration
mothball
verb
mothballed; mothballing; mothballs
Definition of mothball (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to deactivate (something, such as a ship) and prevent deterioration chiefly by dehumidification
2
: to withdraw from use or service and keep in reserve : put aside
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for mothball
The first known use of mothball was in 1892
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