fomes Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun genus of bracket fungi forming corky or woody perennial shelflike sporophores often of large size; includes some that cause destructive heartrot in trees
    genus Fomes.

WordNet

Fo"mes noun
Etymology
L. fomes, -itis, touch-wood, tinder.
Wordforms
plural Fomites
Definitions
  1. (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.

Webster 1913