[ˈmɒθbɔːl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a small pellet of a pungent substance, typically naphthalene, put in among stored garments to keep away clothes moths


Phrases:
- in mothballs

Origin:

[ˈmɒθbɔːl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- store (clothes) with mothballs

- stop using (a piece of equipment or a building) but keep it in good condition so that it can readily be used again
(e.g: it would cost the company a lot of money just to mothball the mine)


Phrases:
- in mothballs

Origin: