fungus

[fuhng-guh s] /ˈfʌŋ gəs/
noun, plural fungi
[fuhn-jahy, fuhng-gahy] /ˈfʌn dʒaɪ, ˈfʌŋ gaɪ/ (Show IPA), funguses.
1.
any of a diverse group of eukaryotic single-celled or multinucleate organisms that live by decomposing and absorbing the organic material in which they grow, comprising the mushrooms, molds, mildews, smuts, rusts, and yeasts, and classified in the kingdom Fungi or, in some classification systems, in the division Fungi (Thallophyta) of the kingdom Plantae.
2.
Pathology. a spongy, abnormal growth, as granulation tissue formed in a wound.
adjective
3.
fungous.
Origin
1520-30; < Latin: fungus, mushroom; perhaps akin to Greek spóngos, sphóngos sponge
Related forms
fungic
[fuhn-jik] /ˈfʌn dʒɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
funguslike, adjective
Examples from the web for fungus
  • It has also been shown to be effective against the fungus that commonly infects toenails.
  • There are two generally recognised types of fairy ring fungus.
  • These asci are embedded in an ascocarp, or fruiting body, of the fungus.
  • As for the alga, it uses the minerals and water to make food for the fungus and itself.
  • If a particular type of leaf is toxic to the fungus the colony will no longer collect it.
  • The fungus kills the ant, grows on its remains, and produces a fruiting body.
  • It appears that the fungus alters the behaviour of the ant to help disperse its spores.
  • Infection occurs by inhalation of the fungus from its natural soil habitat.
  • The beefsteak fungus, a well known bracket fungus, is actually a member of the agarics.
  • However, elimination of the fungus results in dramatic improvement.
British Dictionary definitions for fungus

fungus

/ˈfʌŋɡəs/
noun (pl) fungi (ˈfʌŋɡaɪ; ˈfʌndʒaɪ; ˈfʌndʒɪ), funguses
1.
any member of a kingdom of organisms (Fungi) that lack chlorophyll, leaves, true stems, and roots, reproduce by spores, and live as saprotrophs or parasites. The group includes moulds, mildews, rusts, yeasts, and mushrooms
2.
something resembling a fungus, esp in suddenly growing and spreading rapidly
3.
(pathol) any soft tumorous growth
Derived Forms
fungic (ˈfʌndʒɪk) adjective
fungus-like, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin: mushroom, fungus; probably related to Greek spongossponge
Word Origin and History for fungus
n.

1520s, from Latin fungus "a mushroom," in English as a learned alternative to mushroom. (Funge was used in this sense late 14c.) The Latin word is believed to be cognate with (or derived from) Greek sphongos, the Attic form of spongos "sponge" (see sponge).

fungus in Medicine

fungus fun·gus (fŭng'gəs)
n. pl. fun·gus·es or fun·gi (fŭn'jī, fŭng'gī)
Any of numerous eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Fungi, which lack chlorophyll and vascular tissue and range in form from a single cell to a body mass of branched filamentous hyphae that often produce specialized fruiting bodies.

fungus in Science
fungus
  (fŭng'gəs)   
Plural fungi (fŭn'jī, fŭng'gī)
Any of a wide variety of organisms that reproduce by spores, including the mushrooms, molds, yeasts, and mildews. The spores of most fungi grow a network of slender tubes called hyphae that spread into and feed off of dead organic matter or living organisms. Fungi absorb food by excreting enzymes that break down complex substances into molecules that can be absorbed into the hyphae. The hyphae also produce reproductive structures, such as mushrooms and other growths. Some fungi (called perfect fungi) can reproduce by both sexually produced spores and asexual spores; other fungi (called imperfect fungi or deuteromycetes) are thought to have lost their sexual stage and can only reproduce by asexual spores. Fungi can live in a wide variety of environments, and fungal spores can survive extreme temperatures. Fungi exist in over 100,000 species, nearly all of which live on land. They can be extremely destructive, feeding on almost any kind of material and causing food spoilage and many plant diseases. Although fungi were once grouped with plants, they are now considered a separate kingdom in taxonomy. See Table at taxonomy.

fungal adjective