| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Meerschaum (2 syl., German, sea-froth.) | | |
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This mineral, from having been found on the sea-shore in rounded white lumps, was ignorantly supposed to be sea-froth petrified; but it is a compound of silica, magnesia, lime, water, and carbonic acid. When first dug it lathers like soap, and is used as a soap by the Tartars. | 1 |
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