ascomycete

[ as-kuh-mahy-seet, -mahy-seet ]

/ ˌæs kəˈmaɪ sit, -maɪˈsit /

noun Mycology.

any fungus of the phylum Ascomycota (or class Ascomycetes), including the molds and truffles, characterized by bearing the sexual spores in a sac (as distinguished from basidiomycete).

Nearby words

ascocarp, ascogenous, ascogonium, ascoli piceno, ascoma, ascomycete, ascomycetes, ascomycetous, ascon, asconoid, ascorbase

Origin of ascomycete

From New Latin, dating back to 1855–60; see origin at asco-, -mycete

Also called sac fungus.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ascomycetes

The Ascomycetes contain an immense number of species, and in general terms we might say that they are found everywhere.
Fungi: Their Nature and Uses|Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
The Ascomycetes are primarily subdivided into Exoasci and Carpoasci, groups based on the character of the asci.
Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous|Thomas Taylor
The first of these is known as the Ascomycetes (Sac fungi), the other the Basidiomycetes (mushrooms, puff-balls, etc.).
Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany|Douglas Houghton Campbell
In the same way the real multicellular fungi (ascomycetes and basimycetes) may be traced to the tissue-forming alg.
The Wonders of Life|Ernst Haeckel

These latter are thus seen to be carpospores, comparable to those of Red Alg, and to the ascospores of Ascomycetes.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ascomycetes

ascomycete

/ (ˌæskəmaɪˈsiːt) /

noun

any fungus of the phylum Ascomycota (formerly class Ascomycetes) in which the spores (ascospores) are formed inside a club-shaped cell (ascus). The group includes yeast, penicillium, aspergillus, truffles, and certain mildews

Derived Forms

ascomycetous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for ascomycetes (1 of 2)

Ascomycetes

[ ăs′kō-mī-sē′tēz′ ]

n.

A class of fungi characterized by the presence of asci and spores, and having two distinct reproductive phases, a perfect stage and an imperfect stage.

Medicine definitions for ascomycetes (2 of 2)

ascomycete

[ ăs′kō-mī′sēt′, -mī-sēt′ ]

n.

A member of the class Ascomycetes.

Science definitions for ascomycetes

ascomycete

[ ăs′kō-mī′sēt′ ]

Any of various fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, characterized by the presence of sexually produced spores formed within an ascus. Like most fungi, ascomycetes also reproduce asexually by the formation of nonsexual spores called conidia at the ends of filaments known as hyphae. Yeasts, many molds that cause food spoilage, and the edible fungi known as morels and truffles, are ascomycetes. A number of serious plant diseases, including ergot, the powdery mildews that attack fruit, and Dutch elm disease, are also caused by ascomycetes.