Fomes

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Fomes \Fo"mes\ (f[=o]"m[=e]z), n.; pl. {Fomites}
     (f[o^]m"[i^]*t[=e]z). [L. fomes, -itis, touch-wood, tinder.]
     (Med.)
     Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining,
     and transporting contagious or infectious germs; as, woolen
     clothes are said to be active fomites.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Fomes
       n : genus of bracket fungi forming corky or woody perennial
           shelflike sporophores often of large size; includes some
           that cause destructive heartrot in trees [syn: {genus
           Fomes}]