ASBESTUSES
ASBESTUS
As*bes"tus, As*bes"tos, n. Etym: [L. asbestos (NL. asbestus) a kind
of mineral unaffected by fire, Gr. (Min.)
Definition: A variety of amphibole or of pyroxene, occurring in long and
delicate fibers, or in fibrous masses or seams, usually of a white,
gray, or green-gray color. The name is also given to a similar
variety of serpentine.
Note: The finer varieties have been wrought into gloves and cloth
which are incombustible. The cloth was formerly used as a shroud for
dead bodies, and has been recommended for firemen's clothes. Asbestus
in also employed in the manufacture of iron safes, for fireproof
roofing, and for lampwicks. Some varieties are called amianthus.
Dana.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition