1. A fine, silky variety of asbestos, formerly used in textiles and insulation.
Usage: archaic; technical; now largely obsolete due to health hazards of asbestos

Examples

• Amiantus was once prized for its heat-resistant properties in industrial applications.
• The ancient Romans used amiantus fibers to make fireproof cloth.
• Modern safety standards have eliminated most uses of amiantus due to its carcinogenic nature.
• Amiantus deposits were mined extensively in the 19th and early 20th centuries.