Mothball
/ˈmɒθ.bɔːl/noun
A small ball of a volatile chemical used to protect stored clothing from clothes moths and other insects.
Did you know?Mothballs were originally made with camphor, but modern versions commonly use naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, chemicals whose vapor is toxic to insects—and humans.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*muþþō
“Moth, a small winged insect associated with fabric damage”
Old English
Old English
moððe
“Moth; an insect that eats or damages clothing”
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*balluz
“A rounded object or ball”
Middle English
English
mothe; bal
“Moth; a rounded object, especially one used as a projectile or plaything”
19th Century
English
moth ball
“A ball-shaped substance placed with clothing to repel or kill moths”
1890s
English
mothball
“A compact chemical fumigant used to protect stored textiles”