amianthus
/ˌamɪˈanθəs
/noun [mass noun]
A variety of asbestos with fine silky fibres which can be woven.In seven of the measurements no amianthus fibres capable of reaching the lungs were detected....
- For this reason, the builders must dig through the mountains where there is amianthus and other harmful substances.
- With the discovery of amianthus, we came up with the idea of setting up an amianthus cardboard industry in the city of Traipu in the state of Alagoas.
Origin
Early 17th century: from Latin amiantus, from Greek amiantos 'undefiled' (i.e. purified of stains by fire, it being incombustible), from a- 'not' + miainein 'defile'. The spelling was changed from the Latin on the pattern of plant names ending in -anthus, from Greek anthos 'flower'.