as‧bes‧tos /æsˈbestəs/
noun [uncountable][
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']
a grey mineral that does not burn easily, that was used in the past as a building material or in protective clothing
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲