Literary notes about Incombustible (AI summary)
The term "incombustible" has been employed in literature to denote a material quality of being resistant to combustion, yet its usage varies with context. In historical accounts such as in [1], incombustible is referenced literally to describe a type of paper and even a small furnace made from a durable, non-burning material of Chinese origin. In contrast, in [2] François Rabelais uses the term metaphorically by linking it to Asbeston, emphasizing the inherent fireproof nature of the material. Meanwhile, in [3] Thomas Carlyle employs "incombustible" within a political discourse, contrasting what can be consumed by revolution (as in burning ideologies) with what remains immune to such tumult. These examples illustrate the word's adaptability in literary contexts—from practical descriptions of material properties to broader symbolic expressions.
- C.] M. Sage exhibited incombustible paper made from this material, and had himself seen a small furnace of Chinese origin made from it.
— from The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano - Therefore it is called Asbeston, which is as much to say as incombustible.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - Sansculottism will burn much; but what is incombustible it will not burn.
— from The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle
