asbestos

1. (mineralogy) Any of several fibrous mineral forms of magnesium silicate, used for fireproofing, electrical insulation, building materials, brake linings, chemical filters, suits, fireman's gloves, etc.Examples: "All types of asbestos are potentially carcinogenic when inhaled."; "Asbestos insulation was once ubiquitous."; "Consul Baker, of Antung, China, states that valuable deposits of asbestos have been found in the vicinity of Kuantien, a small town lying about 45 miles northeast of Antung.[…]There are three mines now in operation, each employing about 30 workers. These workers, however, are mostly farmers who devote only their spare time to mining and use simply hammers and chisels and gather only the asbestos which lies near the surface."countableuncountable

2. (mineralogy) Any of asbestos-like forms of several minerals, asbestiformscountableuncountable

3. (colloquial, attributive) The supposed material composing part of the body that is impervious to heat, or by extension other unpleasant sensations; especially hot or spicy food.Examples: "She sipped the coffee; she always did have asbestos lips."; "They were exceptionally good and were accompanied by a chili sauce that had to be eaten with great caution unless you had an asbestos tongue but was nonetheless delicious."; ""Yikes!" I yelped. "This water is scalding!" Lena explained to me that she had asbestos hands. Since it was obvious that I did not have asbestos hands, I offered to dry rather than wash."attributivecolloquialcountableuncountable