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mothball

Definition

  • noun: a small ball that contains a strong-smelling chemical and that is used to keep moths away from stored clothing
  • noun: a ball made formerly of camphor but now often of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene and used to keep 'moths' from clothing
  • verb: to stop using (something) while keeping it to be possibly used in the future
  • verb: to deactivate (as a ship) and prevent deterioration chiefly by dehumidification
  • used in phrases like 'in/into mothballs' and 'out of mothballs' to describe something that is stored without being used for a long time

Examples

  • an old comedian who is being brought 'out of mothballs' to star in a new television show

  • Many ships in the navy's fleet were put 'in mothballs' after the war.

  • Many navy ships were 'mothballed' after the war.

Movie quotes

  • (..) - Yeah. Oh, that's a dreidel. Ha. What? It smells like mothballs. It does? No, it's a good thing. It reminds me of my grandma's house. Yeah, well, my parents are just trying to protect (..)
    2008 Two Lovers