Fiberglass

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A synthetic material made from fine strands of glass, commonly used in building and insulation for its lightweight and strength properties
2. A composite substance consisting of glass fibers embedded in a resin, utilized for reinforcing structures and objects due to its durability
3. A versatile material created by weaving glass strands, often employed in manufacturing, automotive designs, and sporting goods for enhanced performance and resilience

Etymology: Fiberglass is a plain compound: "fibre" joined to "glass," with the two parts doing exactly what their names suggest. Glass drawn out into thin filaments, then bound into a plastic matrix, gives a material that is strong and light, and the name simply records those two ingredients. The spelling "fiberglass" is the American form of the British "fibreglass," so both refer to the same material. The "fibre" half comes from Latin "fibra," meaning a filament or thread, and the "glass" half is the ordinary word for the transparent, brittle material. Neither element is a coinage in itself; the novelty lies in joining them to name a new product. Because the compound is transparent in its construction, it needs no hidden etymology: the name describes the substance.

Synonyms: glass fiber, reinforced plastic, composite material, synthetic fiber, glass-reinforced plastic