amianthus

[ am-ee-an-thuh s ]
/ ˌæm iˈæn θəs /

noun Mineralogy.

a fine variety of asbestos, with delicate, flexible filaments.

Origin of amianthus

1660–70; < Latin amiantus < Greek amíantos, equivalent to a- a-6 + mian- (stem of miaínein to defile, make impure) + -tos verbal adjective suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM amianthus

am·i·an·thine [am-ee-an-thuh n, -thahyn] /ˌæm iˈæn θən, -θaɪn/, adjective am·i·an·thoid, am·i·an·thoi·dal, adjective

Words nearby amianthus

amharic, amherst, ami, amiable, amianthoid, amianthus, amic, amicable, amicable number, amice, amicheme

British Dictionary definitions for amianthoid

amianthus
/ (ˌæmɪˈænθəs) /

noun

any of the fine silky varieties of asbestos

Derived forms of amianthus

amianthine, amianthoid or amianthoidal, adjective

Word Origin for amianthus

C17: from Latin amiantus, from Greek amiantos unsullied, from a- 1 + miainein to pollute

Medical definitions for amianthoid

amianthoid
[ ăm′ē-ăn′thoid′ ]

adj.

Having a crystalline appearance like asbestos.