fungi
[ fuhn-jahy, fuhng-gahy ]
/ ˈfʌn dʒaɪ, ˈfʌŋ gaɪ /
noun
a plural of fungus.
Words nearby fungi
funfest,
fungal,
fungal infection,
fungate,
fungemia,
fungi,
fungi imperfecti,
fungi-,
fungible,
fungible issue,
fungicide
Definition for fungi (2 of 4)
Fungi
[ fuhn-jahy, fuhng-gahy ]
/ ˈfʌn dʒaɪ, ˈfʌŋ gaɪ /
noun (used with a plural verb) Biology.
a taxonomic kingdom, or in some classification schemes a division of the kingdom Plantae, comprising all the fungus groups and sometimes also the slime molds.
Also called
Mycota.
Origin of Fungi
From New Latin; see origin at
fungus
Definition for fungi (3 of 4)
fungus
[ fuhng-guh s ]
/ ˈfʌŋ gəs /
noun, plural fun·gi [fuhn-jahy, fuhng-gahy] /ˈfʌn dʒaɪ, ˈfʌŋ gaɪ/, fun·gus·es.
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.
Pathology.
a spongy, abnormal growth, as granulation tissue formed in a wound.
adjective
Origin of fungus
1520–30; < Latin: fungus, mushroom; perhaps akin to Greek
spóngos, sphóngos
sponge
OTHER WORDS FROM fungus
fun·gic [fuhn-jik] /ˈfʌn dʒɪk/, adjective fun·gus·like, adjectiveDefinition for fungi (4 of 4)
fungi-
a combining form representing fungus in compound words: fungicide.
Example sentences from the Web for fungi
British Dictionary definitions for fungi (1 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for fungi (2 of 3)
fungi-
before a vowel fung-
combining form
fungus
fungicide; fungoid
British Dictionary definitions for fungi (3 of 3)
fungus
/ (ˈfʌŋɡəs) /
noun plural fungi (ˈfʌŋɡaɪ, ˈfʌndʒaɪ, ˈfʌndʒɪ) or funguses
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
something resembling a fungus, esp in suddenly growing and spreading rapidly
pathol
any soft tumorous growth
Derived forms of fungus
fungic (ˈfʌndʒɪk), adjective fungus-like, adjectiveWord Origin for fungus
C16: from Latin: mushroom, fungus; probably related to Greek
spongos
sponge
Medical definitions for fungi (1 of 2)
Fungi
n.
The kingdom of organisms that is made up of the fungi and includes the yeasts, molds, mildews, and mushrooms.
Medical definitions for fungi (2 of 2)
fungus
[ fŭng′gəs ]
n. pl. fun•gi (fŭn′jī, fŭng′gī)
Any of numerous eukaryotic organisms that reproduce by spores. 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. The hyphae often produce specialized reproductive bodies, such as mushrooms.
Scientific definitions for fungi
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.
Other words from fungus
fungal adjectiveCultural definitions for fungi
fungi
[ (fun-jeye, fung-geye) ]
sing. fungus
Plantlike organisms lacking chlorophyll, such as mushrooms, molds, yeasts, and mildews. Modern biologists tend to place fungi in their own kingdom, not in the plant kingdom, because they get their nutrients from other living things (or from the remains of living things that have died) rather than from photosynthesis. (See under “Medicine and Health.”)