English Dictionary: meerschaum | by the DICT Development Group |
2 results for meerschaum | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
| |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Meerschaum \Meer"schaum\, n. [G., lit., sea foam; meer sea + schaum foam; but it perh. is a corruption of the Tartaric name myrsen. Cf. {Mere} a lake, and {Scum}.] 1. (Min.) A fine white claylike mineral, soft, and light enough when in dry masses to float in water. It is a hydrous silicate of magnesia, and is obtained chiefly in Asia Minor. It is manufacturd into tobacco pipes, cigar holders, etc. Also called {sepiolite}. 2. A tobacco pipe made of this mineral. |