A variety of asbestos that is soft and silky, once used in fabrics and insulation.
From Greek 'amianthus' meaning 'unsoiled' or 'incorruptible' (from 'a-' not + 'miainein' to defile), referring to the mineral's resistance to fire and decay. The term entered English through French and scientific Latin in the 16th century.
Ancient Greeks named this mineral 'unsoilable' because it wouldn't burn or decay, and wealthy Romans actually used it to make napkins and tablecloths that they'd throw into fires to clean them—imagine the amazement before chemistry explained asbestos's true dangers!
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