An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A family of fibrous mineral silicates that are incombustible, resistant to chemicals, and do not conduct electricity.
In the past asbestos has been widely used for a range of fireproof materials and in the building industry. Asbestos causes very serious health problems if the fibers are inhaled (bronchial cancer, laryngeal cancer, and mesothelioma).

Etymology (EN): M.E. albeston, abestus, from O.Fr. abeste, abestos, from L. asbestos “quicklime,” from Gk. asbestos, literally “inextinguishable,” from → a- “not” + sbestos, verbal adjective from sbennynai “to quench.”

Etymology (PE): Panbe-ye kuhi, literally “mountain cotton,” from panbé,
→ cotton, + kuhi “pertaining to mountains,” from kuh, → mountain.
Panbe-ye nasuz, literally “non-inflammable cotton,” from panbé

• nasuz “non-inflammable,” from na- “not,” → a- + suz-, suxtan, → burn.