%amianthus%

n. [ L. amiantus, Gr. &unr_; &unr_; (lit., unsoiled stone) a greenish stone, like asbestus; 'a priv. + &unr_; to stain, to defile; so called from its incombustibility. ] (Min.) Earth flax, or mountain flax; a soft silky variety of asbestus. [ 1913 Webster ]