Fungus
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈfʌŋ.ɡəs/
- Rhymes: -ʌŋɡəs
Origin
From Latin fungus ("mushroom"). Compare Ancient Greek σπόγγος.
Full definition of fungus
Noun
- Any member of the kingdom Fungi; a eukaryotic organism typically having chitin cell walls but no chlorophyll or plastids. Fungi may be unicellular or multicellular.
- 2013-07-20, Welcome to the plastisphere, Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.
Usage notes
The plural form fungi comes directly from the Latin. See that entry for information about the several English pronunciations in use.