chrysotile

[ kris-uh-til ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a fibrous variety of serpentine; asbestos.

chrysotile

/ ˈkrɪsətɪl /

noun

1. a green, grey, or white fibrous mineral, a variety of serpentine, that is an important source of commercial asbestos. Formula: Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrysotile¹

1840–50; chryso- + Greek tílos something plucked

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrysotile¹

C20: from chryso- + Greek tilos something plucked, shred, thread, from tillein to pluck

Example Sentences

I found there, however, a piece of unmistakable chrysotile, grouped amongst a miscellaneous lot of American minerals.

From Project Gutenberg

Crocidolite or blue asbestos is similar to chrysotile but somewhat inferior in fire-resisting qualities.

From Project Gutenberg

In Arizona chrysotile is found in veins in cherty limestone, associated with diabase intrusives.

From Project Gutenberg

Asbestos consists mostly of magnesium silicate minerals—chrysotile, anthophyllite, and crocidolite.

From Project Gutenberg

Mineralogically it is distinct from chrysotile, which is used for similar purposes.

From Project Gutenberg