fomes

[ foh-meez ]

noun,plural fom·i·tes [fom-i-teez, foh-mi-]. /ˈfɒm ɪˌtiz, ˈfoʊ mɪ-/.
  1. Usually fomites .Pathology. a surface, as clothing or a door handle, that can become contaminated with pathogens when touched by the carrier of an infection, and can then transmit the pathogens to those who next touch the surface: I know my stainless steel sink is an excellent fomes, so it’s easily contaminated, but the vet told me not to worry about petting my dog—her porous, fibrous fur is a very poor fomes.

Origin of fomes

1
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin fōmes “kindling wood, tinder,” akin to fōvēre “to keep warm”
  • Also called fo·mite [foh-meet] /ˈfoʊ mit/ .

Words Nearby fomes

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How to use fomes in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fomes

fomes

/ (ˈfəʊmiːz) /


nounplural -mites (-mɪtiːz)
  1. med any material, such as bedding or clothing, that may harbour pathogens and therefore convey disease

Origin of fomes

1
C18: from Latin fōmes tinder

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