n. 1. A fine, compact, usually white claylike mineral of hydrous magnesium silicate, H4Mg2Si3O10, found in the Mediterranean area and used in fashioning tobacco pipes and as a building stone. Also called sepiolite. 2. A tobacco pipe with a bowl made of this mineral. [German : Meer, sea (from Middle High German mer, from Old High German mari; see mori- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + Schaum, foam (from Middle High German schūm, from Old High German scūm; see (s)keu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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