- mothball (n.)[mothball 词源字典]
- also moth-ball, moth ball, "naphthalene ball stored among fabrics to keep off moths," 1891, from moth + ball (n.1).[mothball etymology, mothball origin, 英语词源]
- mothball (v.)
- 1902 in a literal sense (to store away with mothballs), from mothball (n.); figurative sense from 1901.