asbestos

English

Asbestos fibers.

Etymology

From Old French abestos, from Latin asbestos, itself from Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (ásbestos, unquenchable, inextinguishable), from ἀ- (a-, not) + σβέννυμι (sbénnumi, I quench, quell).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /æs.ˈbɛs.tɒs/, /æs.ˈbɛs.təs/, /æz.ˈbɛs.təs/

Noun

asbestos (countable and uncountable, plural asbestoses)

  1. (mineralogy) Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, chemical filters, suits, fireman's gloves, etc.
    All types of asbestos are potentially carcinogenic when inhaled.
    Asbestos insulation was once ubiquitous.
  2. (mineralogy) Any of asbestos-like forms of several minerals, asbestiforms

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