Etymology of the English word asbestos
the English word
asbestosderived from the Latin word
asbestos (mineral or gem; iron-gray stoner from Arcadia)
derived from the Greek word
asbestos, ἄσβεστος (not extinguished; perpetual)
using the Greek prefix
a-, ἀ- (an- not, without)
derived from the Greek word
sbennumi, σβέννυμι (to extinguish )
derived from the Greek word
sbestosDate
The earliest known usage of asbestos in English dates from the 14th century.
Derivations in English
asbestosisCognates
Dutch
asbest, French
asbeste, German
Asbest, Icelandic
asbest, Norwegian
asbest, Swedish
asbestUsage
Word found in Modern English
