Asbestos Definition
ăs-bĕstəs, ăz-
noun
Any of six incombustible, chemical-resistant, fibrous minerals of impure magnesium silicate, occurring in either serpentine or amphibole form and used historically in many products, including fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters. Owing to health hazards, notably from inhalation, use of asbestos has been restricted.
American Heritage
Any of several grayish minerals, as amphiboles (esp. actinolite) or serpentines (esp. chrysotile), that separate into long, threadlike fibers that do not burn or conduct heat or electricity and are often resistant to chemicals: used, esp. formerly, to make fireproof materials, electrical insulation, roofing, etc.
Webster's New World
Any of six incombustible chemical-resistant silicate minerals, including one serpentine (chrysotile) and five amphiboles (amosite, crocidolite, and fibrous forms of actinolite, anthophyllite, and tremolite), that separate easily into long, thin, flexible fibers and that have been widely used commercially in products such as fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters. Mining and use of asbestos has been restricted because inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis and cancer.
American Heritage Medicine
Fabric or material containing any of these mineral forms.
American Heritage Medicine
Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
adjective
Of, made of, or containing one of these six mineral forms.
American Heritage
Woven of or containing asbestos.
Webster's New World
Relating to, made of, or containing one of these six mineral forms.
American Heritage Medicine
Of, or relating to asbestos.
Wiktionary
Origin of Asbestos
-
Middle English asbestus from Latin asbestos mineral or gem from Greek mineral or gem, unslaked lime from asbestos unquenchable a- not a–1 sbennunai sbes- to quench
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Old French abeste, from Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (asbestos, “unquenchable, inextinguishable”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + σβέννυμι (sbennumi, “I quench, quell”).
From Wiktionary
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