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as⋅bes⋅tos
[as-bes-tuh
s, az-] 
| 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. |
1350–1400; < L < Gk: lit., unquenched, equiv. to a- a- 6 + sbestós (sbes- var. s. of sbennýnai to quench + -tos ptp. suffix); r. ME asbeston, albeston < MF < L
Related forms:
[as-bes-tin, az-] , as⋅bes⋅tous, adjective Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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| as·bes·tos (ās-běs'təs, āz-) n. Either of two incombustible, chemical-resistant, fibrous mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, and chemical filters. adj. Of, made of, or containing one or the other of these two mineral forms. [Middle English asbestus, from Latin asbestos, mineral or gem, from Greek, mineral or gem, unslaked lime, from asbestos, unquenchable : a-, not; see a-1 + sbennunai, sbes-, to quench.] as·bes'tine (-tĭn), as·bes'tic (-tĭk) adj. |
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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asbestos
adj. [common] Used as a modifier to anything intended to protect one from flames; also in other highly flame-suggestive usages. See, for example, asbestos longjohns and asbestos cork award.Cite This Source
asbestos
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Main Entry: as·bes·tos
Pronunciation: as-'bes-t&s, az-
Function: noun
: any of several minerals that readily separate into long flexiblefibers, that have been implicated as causes of certain cancers, and that have been used especially formerly as fireproof insulating materials
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asbestos as·bes·tos or as·bes·tus (ās-běs'təs, āz-)
n.
Either of two incombustible, chemical-resistant, fibrous mineral forms of impure magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, brake linings, and chemical filters. adj.
Of, made of, or containing one or the other of these two mineral forms.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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| asbestos (ās-běs'təs) Pronunciation Key
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. |
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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asbestos jargon
Used as a modifier to anything intended to protect one from flames; also in other highly flame-suggestive usages. E.g., asbestos longjohns, asbestos cork award.
[The Jargon File]
(1996-02-06)
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Asbestos
town, Estrie region, southern Quebec province, Canada. Asbestos lies near the Southwest Nicolet River, 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Quebec city. Its economy traditionally depended almost entirely on asbestos mining and the manufacture of asbestos products. One of the mines-the Jeffrey open-pit mine-is one of the largest asbestos mines in the world. Electrical equipment and wood products are manufactured. Inc. village, 1899; town, 1937. Pop. (2006) 6,819.
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