amianthus in British English
(ˌæmɪˈænθəs) or amiantus (ˌæmɪˈæntəs)
nounany of the fine silky varieties of asbestos
Derived forms
amianthine (ˌamiˈanthine) or amianthoid (ˌamiˈanthoid) or amianthoidal (ˌamianˈthoidal) adjective
Word origin
C17: from Latin
amiantus, from Greek
amiantos unsullied, from
a-1 +
miainein to pollute