Meer'schaum, n.

(meer/shawm), n. [Ger., literally sea-foam, from meer, the sea, and schaum, foam; but it seems originally rather to be a corruption of the Tartarie name myrsen. Cf. KIEPEEL.]

1. (Min.) A fine white clay, consisting of one part each of magnesia, silica, and water. It occurs in various parts of Europe, but particularly in Natolia, and, when first taken out, is soft, and makes lather, like soap. It is manufactured into tobacco-pipes, which are boiled in oil or wax, and baked.
2. A tobacco-pipe made of this mineral.