asbestos

or as·bes·tus

[ as-bes-tuhs, az- ]

noun

1. Mineralogy. a fibrous mineral, either amphibole or chrysotile, formerly used for making incombustible or fireproof articles.
2. a fabric woven from asbestos fibers, formerly used for theater curtains, firefighters' gloves, etc.
3. Theater. a fireproof curtain.

asbestos

/ -təs; æsˈbɛstɒs /

noun

1. 1. any of the fibrous amphibole and serpentine minerals, esp chrysotile and tremolite, that are incombustible and resistant to chemicals. It was formerly widely used in the form of fabric or board as a heat-resistant structural material
   2. ( as modifier )

      asbestos matting

asbestos

/ ăs-bĕs′təs /

1. Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate. Asbestos is resistant to heat, flames, and chemical action. Some forms have been shown to cause lung diseases. For this reason, asbestos is no longer used to make insulation, fireproofing material, and brake linings.

Derived Forms

• asˈbestine, adjective

Other Words From

• as·bes·tine [as-, bes, -tin, az-], as·bestous adjective
• as·bestoid asbes·toidal adjective
• nonas·bestine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of asbestos¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin, from Greek: literally, “unquenched, inextinguishable” from a- a- ⁶ + sbestós “quenched, extinguished” (from sbennýnai “to quench”); replacing Middle English asbeston, albeston, from Middle French, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of asbestos¹

C14 (originally applied to a mythical stone the heat of which could not be extinguished): via Latin from Greek: from asbestos inextinguishable, from a- ¹+ sbennunai to extinguish

Example Sentences

The widows of two stonemasons who died from a lung condition contracted during their work have warned of the dangers of "new asbestos".

From BBC

The Health and Safety Executive has described silica dust found in stone as the "single biggest risk to construction workers" after the notoriously toxic asbestos.

From BBC

This is not a class-action saga flecked with mangled limbs, unchecked asbestos, or dramatically shortened lifespans.

From Slate

It is closing while contractors replace two waste pipes and remove asbestos.

From BBC

The BBC’s analysis also uncovered examples of councils approving the removal of flagpoles, cutting long service awards for staff, removing coastal lifeguards, ending asbestos collection from households and introducing dynamic theatre pricing so tickets cost more as demand rises.

From BBC