a mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, H4Mg2Si3O10, occurring in white, claylike masses, used for ornamental carvings, for pipe bowls, etc.; sepiolite.
2.
a tobacco pipe with a bowl made of this substance.
Origin: 1775–85; < G Meerschaum, equiv. to Meer sea (see mere2) + Schaum foam
A fine, compact, usually white claylike mineral of hydrous magnesium silicate, H4Mg2Si3O10, found in the Mediterranean area and used in fashioning tobacco pipes and as a building stone. Also called sepiolite.
A tobacco pipe with a bowl made of this mineral.
[German : Meer, sea (from Middle High German mer, from Old High German mari; see mori- in Indo-European roots) + Schaum, foam (from Middle High German schūm, from Old High German scūm; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots).]
1789, "tobacco pipe with a bowl made of meerschaum," a type of soft white clay, from Ger., lit. "sea-foam," so called from its frothy appearance, translation of L. spuma maris, from Pers. kef-i-darya.