MOTHBALLS Meaning and
Definition
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Mothballs are solid, small balls or pellets composed of chemicals, primarily naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, that are used as a common method of protecting clothing and fabrics from damage caused by moths and other insects. They are usually white and have a distinct, pungent odor.
The main purpose of mothballs is to repel moths and their larvae, preventing them from causing harm to clothing and other stored textiles. When placed in drawers, closets, or storage containers, the chemicals in mothballs vaporize slowly, releasing a strong odor that insects find repulsive. This odor acts as a deterrent, effectively driving away moths from the treated areas.
Mothballs are typically used during periods of cloth storage or when there is a known moth problem in the vicinity. The chemicals gradually break down over time, which results in the diminishing effectiveness of the odor. Thus, it is important to regularly replace old mothballs with fresh ones to maintain their efficacy.
While mothballs are efficient in deterring moths, they are considered toxic and potentially harmful when ingested or inhaled in large amounts. Therefore, it is crucial to use mothballs with caution, keeping them out of reach of children and pets.
In conclusion, mothballs are solid balls or pellets containing chemicals that are used to protect clothing and fabrics from moth damage. They release a strong odor that repels moths, preventing them from causing harm. However, caution must be exercised when using mothballs due to their toxic nature.
Common Misspellings for MOTHBALLS
Etymology of MOTHBALLS
The word "mothballs" is a compound noun formed by combining "moth" and "balls".
The term "moth" refers to a type of insect called moths, which are known for their tendency to eat and damage clothes, fabrics, and other organic materials. The word "moth" can be traced back to the Old English word "moððe" or "moða", which means "a kind of insect".
The word "balls" in this context refers to small, round objects. In the case of mothballs, these objects are typically made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are chemicals used to repel moths and protect clothes from damage.
Overall, the term "mothballs" originated from the combination of "moth" as the specific type of insect and "balls" as the physical form of the repellent substance used to deter moths.
Idioms with the word MOTHBALLS
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put sth in mothballs
The idiom "put something in mothballs" means to store or set aside something, usually an object or a project, for an extended period of time, with the intention of not using or dealing with it in the near future. It implies the idea of preserving or protecting something valuable until it may be needed again in the future.
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in (or out of) mothballs
The idiom "in (or out of) mothballs" refers to something that is either put into a state of disuse or withdrawal and later brought back into use or activity. This expression is often used to describe something that has been put aside or stored away for a period of time and then reintroduced or brought back into action.
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bring out of mothballs
The idiom "bring out of mothballs" means to reintroduce or bring back something that has been unused or inactive for a long time.
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bring (something) out of mothballs
The idiom "bring (something) out of mothballs" means to reintroduce or use something that has been unused or stored away for a long time. It often refers to resuming or revitalizing something that was once popular or relevant but has not been in use or forgotten for a period.
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bring sth out of mothballs
The idiom "bring something out of mothballs" means to resurrect, reuse, or bring something back into use after a long period of disuse or inactivity. It is often used to describe the revival of an old idea, project, or plan that was once abandoned or set aside.
Similar spelling word for MOTHBALLS
Conjugate verb Mothballs
CONDITIONAL
I
would mothball
we
would mothball
you
would mothball
he/she/it
would mothball
they
would mothball
FUTURE
I
will mothball
we
will mothball
you
will mothball
he/she/it
will mothball
they
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
you
mothballed
he/she/it
mothballed
they
mothballed
PAST PERFECT
I
had mothballed
we
had mothballed
you
had mothballed
he/she/it
had mothballed
they
had mothballed
PRESENT
I
mothball
we
mothball
you
mothball
he/she/it
mothballs
they
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
you
are mothballing
he/she/it
is mothballing
they
are mothballing
I
was mothballing
we
were mothballing
you
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
they
will be mothballing
I
have been mothballing
we
have been mothballing
you
have been mothballing
he/she/it
has been mothballing
they
have been mothballing
I
had been mothballing
we
had been mothballing
you
had been mothballing
he/she/it
had been mothballing
they
had been mothballing
I
will have been mothballing
we
will have been mothballing
you
will have been mothballing
he/she/it
will have been mothballing
they
will have been mothballing
I
would have mothballed
we
would have mothballed
you
would have mothballed
he/she/it
would have mothballed
they
would have mothballed
I
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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