asbestos
n. uncountablen. a soft, fibrous mineral used in building materials to stop fire and heat. It is safe when left alone but can cause serious lung disease if the dust is breathed in.
n. a naturally occurring mineral fibre used for insulation and fireproofing; hazardous when inhaled as fine dust.
Old houses often contain asbestos in the walls.
The contractor tested the roof tiles for asbestos before starting the renovation work.
Although once prized for its durability and heat resistance, asbestos is now strictly regulated due to the long-term health risks associated with microscopic fibre inhalation.
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, “I quench, quell”).