asbestos
as.bes.tos also as.bes.tus \as-'bes-t*s, az-\ n [ME albestron mineral supposed to be inextinguishable when set on fire, p]rob. fr. MF, fr. ML asbeston, alter. of L asbestos, fr. Gk, unslaked lime, fr. asbestos inextinguishable, fr. a- + sbennynai to quench; akin to Lith gesti to be extinguished : a mineral (as amphibole) that readily separates into long flexible fiber s suitable for use as an incombustible, nonconducting, or chemically resistant material