meerschaum Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a white clayey mineral
    sepiolite.
  2. noun a pipe having a bowl made of meerschaum

WordNet

Meer"schaum noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913