moth ball
Closet insect repellent
A moth ball is a small ball of pungent chemical—traditionally naphthalene or camphor—placed among stored clothing or fabrics to repel moths and their larvae, which can damage natural fibers.
The strong smell is unmistakable and often lingers on garments.
As a verb, to mothball something means to put it into long-term storage or suspend its operation indefinitely: The navy mothballed several destroyers after the war.
The phrase in mothballs describes something kept inactive but preserved for possible future use.
Bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- fumigantAirborne pest poison
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
larvicide · sublimate · vaporize · crystals · flakes · volatile · toxic · pest control
Built-in storage chamber
- atticSpace beneath the roof
- wardrobeGarment storage furniture
- trunkMain stem or storage
- chestRibcage region or strongbox
drawer · garment bag · cedar chest · container · box · basement · locker · cabinet
Sharply strong-smelling
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- mustyStale from dampness
- strongHaving great physical power
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
penetrating · sharp · distinctive · noxious · reek · stink · smell · malodorous
Inherited family treasure
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- vintage clothingPre-owned older garments
- keepsakeItem preserved for sentiment
- protectKeep from harm
safeguard · wool · cashmere · silk · fur · textile · fabric · garment
Quality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- nostalgicLonging for the past
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- bygoneOf earlier times
yesteryear · quaint · old-timey · traditional · outmoded · obsolete · passé · mid-century
naphthalene
Bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- fumigantAirborne pest poison
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
insecticide · larvicide · sublimate · vaporize · crystals · flakes · volatile · toxic · pest control · mothproofing
closet
Built-in storage chamber
chest · drawer · garment bag · cedar chest · container · box · basement · locker · cabinet · woolens
pungent
Sharply strong-smelling
overpowering · penetrating · sharp · distinctive · noxious · reek · stink · smell · malodorous · offensive
heirloom
Inherited family treasure
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- vintage clothingPre-owned older garments
- keepsakeItem preserved for sentiment
protect · safeguard · wool · cashmere · silk · fur · textile · fabric · garment · collection
vintage
Quality from past eras
bygone · yesteryear · quaint · old-timey · traditional · outmoded · obsolete · passé · mid-century · 1950s
- fabric storagelinen closet, cedar chest, blanket chest, hope chest, blanket box
- closetscloset organizer, closet system, closet rod, closet door, closet light
- Attractantslure, bait, attractants, pheromone, pheromones
moth ballactivate
Cause to function
deploy · reactivate · commission · mobilize · launch
moth balllaunch
Set into motion
initiate · greenlight · start up · kick off · fast-track
moth ballrecommission
Restore to active service
decommission · scrap · discard · dispose of · junk