Motheaten
/ˈmɒθ.iː.tən/noun
Worn or damaged by the action of moths.
Did you know?In folklore, moths were often associated with the souls of the dead, representing decay and the passage of time, linking them to the concept of mortality.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
mōðe
“A flying insect, often harmful to clothing and fabric.”
Middle English
ME
mothe
“A term for various species of destructive insects.”
Early Modern English
EModE
motheaten
“Describing fabric that has been eaten away by moths.”
Modern English
English
motheaten
“Specifically refers to items that are damaged or worn due to moths.”