MOTHBALLING Meaning and
Definition
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Mothballing refers to the process of temporarily or indefinitely suspending or decommissioning a facility, enterprise, or project while preserving it for potential future use. It involves putting these assets in a state of dormancy, similar to how mothballs are used to preserve clothing by keeping moths away. The term is derived from the small, aromatic balls traditionally used to deter insects from eating woolen garments during storage.
In the context of business or industry, mothballing typically occurs when an operation becomes economically unviable, requires significant renovations or upgrades, or needs to be shuttered due to external factors such as market conditions or regulatory changes. Mothballing helps mitigate ongoing costs associated with maintaining an inactive operation while minimizing the risk of permanent closure. It allows for the preservation of valuable assets, including physical infrastructure, machinery, and intellectual property, for potential future use or resale.
The mothballing process typically involves rendering the facility or equipment inactive while ensuring its preservation and protection from deterioration. This may include securing the site, implementing maintenance procedures, conducting periodic inspections, and making necessary adjustments or repairs as required. Depending on the nature of the assets being mothballed, additional steps may involve documenting inventories, conducting environmental assessments, and developing storage or conservation plans.
Mothballing can be a proactive strategy employed by businesses, governments, or organizations to temporarily pause operations until more favorable circumstances arise. It allows for flexibility in adapting to changing market conditions or unforeseen events while retaining the option to reactivate or repurpose the assets in the future.
Common Misspellings for MOTHBALLING
Etymology of MOTHBALLING
The word "mothballing" originated from the combination of the words "moth" and "ball".
The term "mothball" first appeared in the early 19th century, combining two distinct elements: "moth" and "ball". During this period, people discovered that a particular substance, typically naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, could repel moths and other insects known to damage clothing. These substances were then solidified into small balls or capsules, which could be placed in closets or storage areas to preserve fabrics and prevent infestation by moths.
Over time, the term "mothball" expanded its metaphorical use to refer to preserving or storing something for an extended period while it is inactive or not in use.
Similar spelling word for MOTHBALLING
Conjugate verb Mothballing
CONDITIONAL
I
would mothball
we
would mothball
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would mothball
he/she/it
would mothball
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would mothball
FUTURE
I
will mothball
we
will mothball
you
will mothball
he/she/it
will mothball
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will mothball
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have mothballed
we
will have mothballed
you
will have mothballed
he/she/it
will have mothballed
they
will have mothballed
PAST
I
mothballed
we
mothballed
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mothballed
he/she/it
mothballed
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mothballed
PAST PERFECT
I
had mothballed
we
had mothballed
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had mothballed
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had mothballed
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had mothballed
PRESENT
I
mothball
we
mothball
you
mothball
he/she/it
mothballs
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mothball
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have mothballed
we
have mothballed
you
have mothballed
he/she/it
has mothballed
they
have mothballed
I
am mothballing
we
are mothballing
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are mothballing
he/she/it
is mothballing
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are mothballing
I
was mothballing
we
were mothballing
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were mothballing
he/she/it
was mothballing
they
were mothballing
I
will be mothballing
we
will be mothballing
you
will be mothballing
he/she/it
will be mothballing
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will be mothballing
I
have been mothballing
we
have been mothballing
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have been mothballing
he/she/it
has been mothballing
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have been mothballing
I
had been mothballing
we
had been mothballing
you
had been mothballing
he/she/it
had been mothballing
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had been mothballing
I
will have been mothballing
we
will have been mothballing
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will have been mothballing
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will have been mothballing
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will have been mothballing
I
would have mothballed
we
would have mothballed
you
would have mothballed
he/she/it
would have mothballed
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would have mothballed
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would be mothballing
we
would be mothballing
you
would be mothballing
he/she/it
would be mothballing
they
would be mothballing
I
would have been mothballing
we
would have been mothballing
you
would have been mothballing
he/she/it
would have been mothballing
they
would have been mothballing
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