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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
.

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