asbestos

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, chemical filters, suits, fireman's gloves, etc.
  2. Any of asbestos-like forms of several minerals, asbestiforms
  3. The supposed material composing part of the body that is impervious to heat, or by extension other unpleasant sensations; especially hot or spicy food.
verb
  1. To coat or line with asbestos.
  2. To expose to asbestos; to cause to suffer asbestosis.
  3. To insulate or buffer.
name
  1. Former name of Val des Sources: a town in Asbestos, Estrie, Quebec, Canada.
  2. Former name of Les Sources: a regional county municipality of Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada.
  3. Alternative spelling of Asbest; A town in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Ural, Russia.

Pronunciation

/æsˈbɛs.tɒs/ /æsˈbɛs.təs/ /æzˈbɛs.təs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-asbestos.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Yangolin-asbestos.wav

Word forms

asbestos asbestoses asbesti asbestus asbestosing asbestosed

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Hellenic *ə- Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) Proto-Indo-European *(s)gʷes-der.? Ancient Greek σβέννῡμῐ (sbénnūmĭ) Ancient Greek σβεστός (sbestós) Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (ásbestos)bor. Latin asbestosbor. Old French abestosder. English asbestos From Old French abestos, from Latin asbestos, itself from Ancient Greek ἄσβεστος (ásbestos, “unquenchable, inextinguishable”), from ᾰ̓- (ă-, “not”) + σβέννῡμῐ (sbénnūmĭ, “to quench, quell”).

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