Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: Latin
Origin: Greek, 'lime (= type of white powder which, when water is added to it, seems to burn)', from asbestos 'that cannot be put out', from sbennynai 'to put out a fire'

asbestos

 noun
     
Related topics: Geology, Industry
as‧bes‧tos [uncountable]
TIHEG a grey mineral that does not burn easily, that was used in the past as a building material or in protective clothing
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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