mothball

Meanings

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

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

Related

Opposite words

• demothball
• unmothball

Origin

• moth + ball