moth-balls
Sweater storage spheres
Mothballs are small balls of pungent chemical (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) placed among stored clothing to repel moths and other insects.
The sharp, distinctive odor clings to fabrics and signals long storage.
To mothball something is to put it in protective storage or suspend its operation indefinitely: The Navy mothballed the fleet after the war.
That project has been in mothballs for years.
Bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- pest-controlManaging unwanted organisms
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- mothproofProtected against fabric-eating insects
insecticide · deterrent · cedarwood · infestation · closet · wardrobe · vacuum-sealed · hermetic
Ancestors once removed
- atticSpace beneath the roof
- vintageQuality from past eras
- memoriesStored past experiences
- heirloomsObjects passed through family lines
childhood · musty · old-fashioned · trunk · basement · yesteryear · reminisce · keepsakes
Sharply strong-smelling
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
overpowering · musty · stale · lingering · unmistakable · pervasive · cloying · medicinal
Cessation of practice
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- shelvedDeferred or stored away
- decommissionedRemoved from active service
- retiredNo longer in workforce
unused · standby · reserve · warehoused · preserved · sidelined · parked · out-of-service
naphthalene
Bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- pest-controlManaging unwanted organisms
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
mothproof · insecticide · deterrent · cedarwood · infestation · closet · wardrobe · vacuum-sealed · hermetic · storage
grandparents
Ancestors once removed
heirlooms · childhood · musty · old-fashioned · trunk · basement · yesteryear · reminisce · keepsakes · sentimental
pungent
Sharply strong-smelling
- chemicalSubstance with defined composition
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
distinctive · overpowering · musty · stale · lingering · unmistakable · pervasive · cloying · medicinal
disuse
Cessation of practice
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- shelvedDeferred or stored away
- decommissionedRemoved from active service
retired · unused · standby · reserve · warehoused · preserved · sidelined · parked · out-of-service · dormant
moth-ballsactive duty
Current military employment status
in service · operational · reactivated · deployed · current