asbestos

Meanings

Noun

• 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.
• Any of asbestos-like forms of several minerals, asbestiforms

Verb

• To coat or line with asbestos.
• To expose to asbestos; to cause to suffer asbestosis.
• To insulate or buffer.

Related

Narrower meaning words

• serpentine: parachrysotile, amianthus, common asbestos, chrysotile
• richterite, winchite

Origin

• From Old French abestos, from Latin asbestos, itself from Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος ("unquenchable, inextinguishable"), from ᾰ̓- + σβέννῡμῐ.