First Known Use: 1607
Dictionary
asbestos
noun as·bes·tos \as-ˈbes-təs, az-\
: a soft gray mineral that does not burn, that was used especially as a building material in the past, and that can cause serious diseases of the lungs when people breathe its dust
Full 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
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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
Rhymes with ASBESTOS
ASBESTOS Defined for Kids
asbestos
noun as·bes·tos \as-ˈbes-təs, az-\
Definition of ASBESTOS for Kids
: a grayish mineral that separates easily into long flexible fibers and has been used especially in the past in making fireproof materials
Medical Dictionary
asbestos
noun as·bes·tos \as-ˈbes-təs, az-\
Medical Definition of ASBESTOS
: any of several minerals 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
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