chrysotile
Definition
- Noun:
- A grey or green fibrous mineral; an important source of commercial asbestos: Chrysotile is a specific type of mineral belonging to the serpentine group, characterized by its fibrous, silky texture and its colors, which range from white and grey to greenish. It is the most commonly used form of asbestos.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Chrysotile was historically a major component in many building materials.
- Under the microscope, the fibrous structure of chrysotile is clearly visible.
- Due to health risks, the mining and use of chrysotile have been heavily restricted.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific/Geological Context: The term is used precisely to denote a mineral with the chemical formula Mg₃(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄.
- The study focused on the hydrothermal formation of chrysotile in serpentinite rocks.
Variants and Related Words
- Asbestos (n): A general term for a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals, which includes chrysotile as its most common form.
- Chrysotile asbestos is also known as "white asbestos."
- Serpentine (n): The group of minerals to which chrysotile belongs.
- Chrysotile is a fibrous variety of the serpentine mineral group.
Synonyms
- White asbestos: A common industrial name for chrysotile, distinguishing it from other asbestos types like amosite (brown asbestos) or crocidolite (blue asbestos).
Noun
-
a grey or green fibrous mineral; an important source of commercial asbestos
