asbestos

as·bes·tos

noun \as-ˈbes-təs, az-\

Definition of ASBESTOS

: any of several minerals (as chrysotile) that readily separate into long flexible fibers, that cause asbestosis and have been implicated as causes of certain cancers, and that have been used especially formerly as fireproof insulating materials

Origin of ASBESTOS

Middle English albeston mineral supposed to be inextinguishable when set on fire, probably from Middle French abeston, from Medieval Latin asbeston, alteration of Latin asbestos, from Greek, unslaked lime, from asbestos inextinguishable, from a- + sbennynai to quench

First Known Use: 1607

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Rhymes with ASBESTOS

Alcestis, Hephaestus