FUNGI

Fungi, kingdom Fungi, fungus kingdom

(noun) the taxonomic kingdom including yeast, molds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools; distinct from the green plants

FUNGUS

fungus

(noun) an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology 1

Noun

fungi

plural of fungus

(pathology) Spongy, abnormal growth, as granulation tissue formed in a wound

Usage notes

• There are multiple pronunciations in current English use. More American dictionaries favor the pronunciation /ˈfʌn.dʒaɪ/ or /ˈfʌŋ.ɡaɪ/, while more British dictionaries favor the pronunciation /ˈfʌŋ.ɡiː/ or /ˈfʌn.dʒiː/. However, all four pronunciations are in use in both countries.

Etymology 2

Noun

fungi (uncountable)

(music) A style of folk and popular music from the Virgin Islands, traditionally performed by bands consisting of ukulele, banjo, guitar and washboard with various percussion instruments on rhythm.

Synonyms

• (Virgin Islands music): scratch, quelbe

Etymology 3

Noun

fungi (uncountable)

Alternative form of fungee (“Caribbean okra dish”)

Source: Wiktionary

Fun"gi, n. pl. (Bot.)

Definition: See Fungus.

FUNGUS

Fun"gus, n.; pl. L. Fungi, E. Funguses. Etym: [L., a mushroom; perh. akin to a doubtful Gr. sponge.]

1. (Bot.)

Definition: Any one of the Fungi, a large and very complex group of thallophytes of low organization, -- the molds, mildews, rusts, smuts, mushrooms, toadstools, puff balls, and the allies of each.

Note: The fungi are all destitute of chorophyll, and, therefore, to be supplied with elaborated nourishment, must live as saprophytes or parasites. They range in size from single microscopic cells to systems of entangled threads many feet in extent, which develop reproductive bodies as large as a man's head. The vegetative system consists of septate or rarely unseptate filaments called hyphæ; the aggregation of hyphæ into structures of more or less definite form is known as the mycelium. See Fungi, in the Supplement.

2. (Med.)

Definition: A spongy, morbid growth or granulation in animal bodies, as the proud flesh of wounds. Hoblyn.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition