fomes

Meanings

Plural: fomites

Noun

genus of bracket fungi forming corky or woody perennial shelflike sporophores often of large size; includes some that cause destructive heartrot in trees
The morbid matter created by a disease.
Synonym of fomite: a substance able to communicate infection between people.
Anything which similarly facilitates the spread of something similarly deleterious.

Origin / Etymology

From medical Latin fōmes (“fomite”), a figurative extension of its original sense of kindling, tinder, etc. Gradually supplanted in use by fomite, a mistaken backformation of its plural form fomites, from Latin fōmitēs.

Synonyms

fomite, genus Fomes

Scrabble Score: 10

fomes is not valid in Scrabble (US) TWL Dictionary
fomes is not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
fomes is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 0

fomes is not valid in Words With Friends