fairy ring

American  

noun

1. any of numerous mushrooms of meadows and open woods, especially the well-known Marasmius oreades, that spread in rings originating from mycelial growth: formerly supposed to mark the paths laid by dancing fairies.

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fairy ring British  

noun

1. a ring of dark luxuriant vegetation in grassy ground corresponding to the edge of an underground fungal mycelium: popularly associated with the dancing of fairies: seasonally marked by a ring of mushrooms

2. short for fairy ring mushroom, Marasmius oreades , a dainty buff-coloured edible basidiomycetous fungus, characteristically forming rings in grassland

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Etymology

Origin of fairy ring

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

If you ever made fairy rings as a child, the Guillemot Cove Nature Reserve, located near Seabeck, has a hike you’ll like.

From Seattle Times

But in the ongoing scientific discussion of these fairy rings, microbes may have just joined the party.

From New York Times

Still, we head to Prospect Park almost every afternoon to run races, climb trees, fly kites, squelch in mud puddles or search for fairy rings.

From New York Times

“If you ever have your pet eat even a small piece of a fairy ring mushroom, get it out ASAP,” Barry wrote on Facebook.

From Fox News

This can also happen if you step into a fairy ring, either made of mushrooms or a Neolithic stone circle.

From BBC