amianthus

[ am-ee-an-thuhs ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a fine variety of asbestos, with delicate, flexible filaments.

amianthus

/ ˌæmɪˈænθəs /

noun

1. any of the fine silky varieties of asbestos

Derived Forms

• ˌamiˈanthine, adjective

Other Words From

• am·i·an·thine [am-ee-, an, -th, uh, n, -thahyn], adjective
• ami·anthoid ami·an·thoidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amianthus¹

1660–70; < Latin amiantus < Greek amíantos, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + mian- (stem of miaínein to defile, make impure) + -tos verbal adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of amianthus¹

C17: from Latin amiantus, from Greek amiantos unsullied, from a- ¹+ miainein to pollute

Example Sentences

The Chinese and the Corsicans blend the fibres of amianthus in their pottery to give it tenacity.

From Project Gutenberg

What store of Amianthus there is in Cyprus; and how they work it?

From Project Gutenberg