ascomycete

[ as-kuh-mahy-seet, -mahy-seet ]
/ ˌæs kəˈmaɪ sit, -maɪˈsit /

noun Mycology.

any fungus of the phylum Ascomycota (or class Ascomycetes), including the molds and truffles, characterized by bearing the sexual spores in a sac (as distinguished from basidiomycete).
Also called sac fungus.

Origin of ascomycete

From New Latin, dating back to 1855–60; see origin at asco-, -mycete

Words nearby ascomycete

ascocarp, ascogenous, ascogonium, ascoli piceno, ascoma, ascomycete, ascomycetes, ascomycetous, ascon, asconoid, ascorbase

Example sentences from the Web for ascomycete

British Dictionary definitions for ascomycete

ascomycete
/ (ˌæskəmaɪˈsiːt) /

noun

any fungus of the phylum Ascomycota (formerly class Ascomycetes) in which the spores (ascospores) are formed inside a club-shaped cell (ascus). The group includes yeast, penicillium, aspergillus, truffles, and certain mildews

Derived forms of ascomycete

ascomycetous, adjective

Medical definitions for ascomycete

ascomycete
[ ăs′kō-mī′sēt′, -mī-sēt′ ]

n.

A member of the class Ascomycetes.

Scientific definitions for ascomycete

ascomycete
[ ăs′kō-mī′sēt′ ]

Any of various fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, characterized by the presence of sexually produced spores formed within an ascus. Like most fungi, ascomycetes also reproduce asexually by the formation of nonsexual spores called conidia at the ends of filaments known as hyphae. Yeasts, many molds that cause food spoilage, and the edible fungi known as morels and truffles, are ascomycetes. A number of serious plant diseases, including ergot, the powdery mildews that attack fruit, and Dutch elm disease, are also caused by ascomycetes.