0 past simple and past participle of mothball
1 to stop work on an idea, plan, or job, but leaving it in such a way that you can start on it again at some point in the future:
It was suggested that such increases might be achieved by extending harvests or by reactivating mothballed factories.
Once major units are mothballed the likelihood of their ever reopening is slim, except in an old-fashioned war.
A coal mine cannot be mothballed and be expected to be of any use within a few years if the international supply position changes.
There is an additional capacity of 1,510 megawatts which has been mothballed, although it exists, whether anyone likes it or not.
What is the point in kidding people that something is being mothballed when the reality is that they are to be closed permanently?
Perhaps they need to be mothballed, but certainly not shut.
As a result of it, however, 12 pits will close immediately and six will be mothballed.
It is an urgent matter, so let us have primary legislation, and let us get down to the non-rating of mothballed factories.
