Asbestos

Pronunciation: /æsˈbɛstəs/

Definitions of asbestos

noun a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics, and is used in fire-resistant and insulating materials such as brake linings

Example Sentences

A1 Asbestos is a harmful material.

A2 Asbestos can be found in old buildings.

B1 Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems.

B2 The removal of asbestos from buildings must be done by professionals.

C1 Regulations regarding asbestos handling vary from country to country.

C2 Extensive research has been done on the long-term effects of asbestos exposure.

Examples of asbestos in a Sentence

formal Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was commonly used in building materials for insulation.

informal I heard that asbestos can be really dangerous if it's not handled properly.

slang Dude, that old building is probably filled with asbestos, stay away from it!

figurative The toxic relationship was like asbestos, slowly destroying everything around it.

Grammatical Forms of asbestos

• plural: asbestos
• comparative: more asbestos
• superlative: most asbestos
• present tense: asbestoses
• future tense: will asbestos
• perfect tense: has asbestos
• continuous tense: is asbestos
• singular: asbestos
• positive degree: asbestos
• infinitive: to asbestos
• gerund: asbestosing
• participle: asbestosed

Origin and Evolution of asbestos

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Ancient Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'asbestos' originates from the Ancient Greek word 'ἄσβεστος' (asbestos), meaning 'unquenchable' or 'inextinguishable'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in reference to a mineral known for its fire-resistant properties, the word 'asbestos' has evolved to also describe a group of naturally occurring minerals with similar characteristics. Over time, the word has become associated with health risks due to asbestos fibers being linked to respiratory illnesses and cancer.