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amianthus

American  
[am-ee-an-thuhs] / ˌæm iˈæn θəs /

noun

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


amianthus British  
/ ˌæmɪˈænθəs /

noun

  1. any of the fine silky varieties of asbestos

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • amianthine adjective
  • amianthoid adjective
  • amianthoidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of amianthus

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There are mines of anthracite, antimony and copper; the island produces granite, building stone, marble, and amianthus, and there are salt marshes.

From Project Gutenberg

The stockings and cap are single, but the gloves are made of double amianthus cloth, to enable the fireman to take into his hand burning or red-hot bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Some of them, it was stated, who wore double gloves of amianthus, held a red-hot bar during four minutes.

From Project Gutenberg