naphthalene
noun /ˈnæfθəliːn/, /ˈnæpθəliːn/
/ˈnæfθəliːn/, /ˈnæpθəliːn/
[uncountable] (chemistry)- a substance used in mothballs (= used for keeping moths away from clothes) and in industrial processesWord Originearly 19th cent.: from naphtha + -ene, with the insertion of -l- for ease of pronunciation.