kieselguhr
/ˈkiːz(ə)lˌɡʊə
/noun [mass noun]
A form of diatomaceous earth used in various manufacturing and laboratory processes, chiefly as a filter, filler, or insulator.Fiberized asbestos or ‘magnesia’ is a component of many insulating compositions which may also contain clay, kieselguhr, fossil meal, flax, hemp or jute waste and other materials....
- Conventional beer filters are made of either densely packed fibres or a dusty material called kieselguhr, which consists of fossilised hard-walled algae called diatoms.
Origin
Late 19th century: from German, from Kiesel 'gravel' + dialect Guhr (literally 'yeast') used to denote a loose earthy deposit, found in the cavities of rocks.