— asbestine /as bes"tin, az-/ , asbestous , adj. — asbestoid, asbestoidal , adj.
/as bes"teuhs, az-/ , n.
1. Mineral. a fibrous mineral, either amphibole or chrysotile, formerly used for making incombustible or fireproof articles.
2. a fabric woven from asbestos fibers, formerly used for theater curtains, firefighters' gloves, etc.
3. Theat. a fireproof curtain.
Also, asbestus .
[ 1350-1400; a- A- 6 + sbestós ( sbes- var. s. of sbennýnai to quench + -tos ptp. suffix); r. ME asbeston, albeston ]