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Definition of earthflax

earthflax

/ˈɜːrθ.flæks/
earth · flax
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earthflax Lexical Profile

earthflax Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An archaic or historical term for a fine, fibrous form of asbestos, particularly amianthus, characterized by its silken, thread-like appearance.

Example

"Before the severe respiratory risks of the mineral were discovered, earthflax was woven into fire-resistant tapestries and burial shrouds by ancient artisans."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for earthflax

Word Nuance & Usage

Now obsolete in modern scientific or industrial contexts, the term was historically used to describe asbestos fibers due to their visual resemblance to botanical flax.

• Nearby Words

eartheater
earthen
earthenware
earthflax
earthiness
earthing
earthlike

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'earth' and 'flax', coined in the 16th century to describe the naturally occurring, fire-resistant mineral amianthus (a fine type of asbestos), whose silky threads closely mimic plant fibers.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Earthflax. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/earthflax
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