mothballs
Wool sweater guardians
Mothballs are small balls of pungent chemical—traditionally naphthalene or camphor—placed among stored clothing to repel moths and other fabric-eating insects.
The strong odor clings to garments and suggests old closets or grandmother's attic.
To put something in mothballs is to store it indefinitely or suspend its use: The project has been in mothballs since the budget cuts.
Aromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- mustyStale from dampness
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
penetrating · overpowering · stinging · reek · stink · fumes · chemical · closet
Built-in storage chamber
- cedar chestAromatic wooden storage trunk
- atticSpace beneath the roof
- trunkMain stem or storage
- woolensGarments of sheep fiber
furs · blankets · garments · seasonal · drawers · wardrobe · linens · sweaters
Toxic agent targeting pests
- repellentCauses strong aversion
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- mothsNocturnal lepidopterans
- infestationPest takeover situation
toxic · fumigation · deterrent · chemicals · insects · treatment · prevention · control
Mother of a parent
- atticSpace beneath the roof
- vintageQuality from past eras
- memoriesStored past experiences
- heirloomsObjects passed through family lines
antiques · childhood · bygone · old-fashioned · keepsakes · sentimental · reminisce · estate sales
Space for keeping goods
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- shelvedDeferred or stored away
- dormantInactive but capable
- reserveSupply kept back
unused · sidelined · hibernation · decommissioned · suspended · archived · put away · out of service
camphor
Aromatic crystalline insect deterrent
sharp · penetrating · overpowering · stinging · reek · stink · fumes · chemical · closet · whiff
closet
Built-in storage chamber
- cedar chestAromatic wooden storage trunk
- atticSpace beneath the roof
- trunkMain stem or storage
woolens · furs · blankets · garments · seasonal · drawers · wardrobe · linens · sweaters · packed away
insecticide
Toxic agent targeting pests
infestation · toxic · fumigation · deterrent · chemicals · insects · treatment · prevention · control · poison
grandmother
Mother of a parent
heirlooms · antiques · childhood · bygone · old-fashioned · keepsakes · sentimental · reminisce · estate sales · trousseau
storage
Space for keeping goods
reserve · unused · sidelined · hibernation · decommissioned · suspended · archived · put away · out of service · retired
- mothproofingcedar chest, cedar closet, cedar blocks, cedar chips, cedar hangers
- household goodspaper towels, tableware, toilet paper, garbage bags, bedding
- atticrafters, attic room, joists, eaves, exposed beams
- strong smellsgarlic, onion, ammonia, chlorine, gasoline
- pet hazardsantifreeze, rat poison, chocolate, xylitol, grapes
- fabric storagelinen closet, cedar chest, blanket chest, hope chest, blanket box
mothballscedar blocks
Scented wood pieces for storage
cedar chips · cedar · cedar wood · lavender sachets · cedar hangers
mothballsactive duty
Current military employment status
in service · operational · active service · in operation · in use