Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Meerschaum

Meer′schaum

(mēr′sha̤m; 277)
,
Noun.
[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; a
meerschaum pipe
.

Definition 2025

Meerschaum

Meerschaum

See also: meerschaum

German

Noun

Meerschaum

  1. the foam of the churned-up sea
  2. a soft white mineral: meerschaum
  3. a particular kind of plant, more often called Seemoos

Synonyms

  • (soft white mineral:) Sepiolith
  • (plant:) Seemoos

meerschaum

meerschaum

See also: Meerschaum

English

Noun

meerschaum ‎(countable and uncountable, plural meerschaums)

  1. (uncountable) A soft white mineral, chiefly used for smoking-pipes and cigar holders.
    • 1956, Delano Ames, chapter 14, in Crime out of Mind:
      He gazed around until on the lid of a spinet he spotted a promising collection of bottles, gin, whiskey, vermouth and sherry, mixed with violin bows, a flute, a toppling pile of books, six volumes of Grove's Dictionary mingled with paperback thrillers, a guitar without any strings, a pair of binoculars, a meerschaum pipe and a jar half-full of wasps and apricot jam.
  2. (countable) A smoking-pipe made from meerschaum.

Translations

See also

Etymology

Meer ‎(“sea”) +‎ Schaum ‎(“foam”)

Pronunciation

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