amianthus
/ˌæmiˈænθəs/
noun
- A fine, silky variety of asbestos, a mineral that can be woven into fire-resistant fabric.
- The museum displayed a Roman napkin woven from amianthus that had survived centuries.
- In ancient times, amianthus was used to make cloth that could be thrown into a fire and come out clean.
- Miners once extracted amianthus for its heat-resistant properties, before its health risks were known.