amianthus

enUK

am·i·an·thus

A0254200 (ăm′ē-ăn′thəs) also am·i·an·tus (-təs)n. Asbestos with fine, silky fibers.
[Latin amiantus, from Greek amiantos, undefiled : a-, not; see a-1 + miantos, defiled (from miainein, to defile).]

amianthus

(ˌæmɪˈænθəs) or

amiantus

n (Minerals) any of the fine silky varieties of asbestos[C17: from Latin amiantus, from Greek amiantos unsullied, from a-1 + miainein to pollute] ˌamiˈanthine, ˌamiˈanthoid, ˌamianˈthoidal adj