Abeston

Description

An unstandardized term that has two opposing meanings.

1) An archaic name used in ancient Egypt for 'noncombustible flax' that probably refers to mineral fibers, such as asbestos (Tortora and Merkel, 1996).

2) A reddish brown to black stone found in ancient Egypt that, once set on fire, is difficult to quench (Bailey 1736). Asbeston, in this case, may refer to bitumen, coal, or resin.

Synonyms and Related Terms

none

Additional Information

° P.Tortora, R.Merkel (eds.), Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles, Fairchild Publications, New York, 1996.° N. Bailey, Baileys 1736 Dictionary, www.groveware.com, 2000.

Authority

• Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles, Phyllis G.Tortora, Robert S. Merkel (eds.), Fairchild Publications, New York City, 7th edition, 1996

• Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985

• N. Bailey , Baileys 1736 Dictionary, www.groveware.com, 2000