meerschaum
UK[ˈmɪəʃəm]US[ˈmɪrʃəm]
n
a soft white clay-like mineral, a hydrous magnesium silicate, used especially for making tobacco pipes.
n
a tobacco pipe made from this mineral.
Morpheme Breakdown
meer
schaum
meer
sea
schaum
foam
Etymology
the word 'meerschaum' is a direct loan from german, where it literally means 'sea foam'. this name was given to the mineral due to its light, porous, and frothy appearance when first mined, which was thought to resemble the foam of the sea. despite its germanic name, the substance itself was historically known and used in other cultures. the term entered english in the late 18th century, primarily in reference to the material used for crafting fine, heat-resistant tobacco pipes, with the literal imagery of 'sea foam' perfectly capturing its distinctive physical properties.
Analysis
Structure: meer (sea) + schaum (foam)
meer is from german, meaning 'sea'. schaum is from german, meaning 'foam, froth'.
Examples
the antique shop had a beautifully carved meerschaum pipe on display.
meerschaum is prized by pipe collectors for its ability to absorb tars and nicotine.
the mineral deposit contained a significant vein of high-quality meerschaum.