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asbestus - 2 dictionary results
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as⋅bes⋅tos

  [as-bes-tuhs, az-]
Use asbestus in a Sentence
–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.
Also, as⋅bes⋅tus.

Origin:
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⋅tine  [as-bes-tin, az-] , as⋅bes⋅tous, adjective
as⋅bes⋅toid, as⋅bes⋅toi⋅dal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Mesothelioma Lung Cancer
 Learn about mesothelioma types, symptoms, legal help and treatment.
 www.Mesothelioma-Net.org
Mesothelioma is Deadly
 Site explains link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer
 www.Mesothelioma-Lung-Cancer.org

Asbestus

As*bes"tus\, Asbestos \As*bes"tos\ (?; 277), n. [L. asbestos (NL. asbestus) a kind of mineral unaffected by fire, Gr. ? (prop. an adj.) inextinguishable; 'a priv. + ? to extinguish.] (Min.) A variety of amphibole or of pyroxene, occurring in long and delicate fibers, or in fibrous masses or seams, usually of a white, gray, or green-gray color. The name is also given to a similar variety of serpentine.

Note: The finer varieties have been wrought into gloves and cloth which are incombustible. The cloth was formerly used as a shroud for dead bodies, and has been recommended for firemen's clothes. Asbestus in also employed in the manufacture of iron safes, for fireproof roofing, and for lampwicks. Some varieties are called amianthus. --Dana.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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