fomes

American  

[foh-meez] / ˈfoʊ miz /

noun

PLURAL

fomites

1. Pathology.  Usually 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.

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fomes British  

/ ˈfəʊmiːz /

noun

1. med any material, such as bedding or clothing, that may harbour pathogens and therefore convey disease

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Etymology

Origin of fomes

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin fōmes “kindling wood, tinder,” akin to fōvēre “to keep warm”

Example Sentences

They found that the fungal strain Fomes fomentarius mixed well with wood chips that had no commercial value and would have otherwise gone to waste.

From National Geographic

Fomes, fō′miz, n. any porous substance capable of absorbing and retaining contagious effluvia:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

Since these movements are indirectly voluntary, St. Thomas' teaching does not conflict with the Council of Trent which speaks of the fomes as habitual dispositions and not of its acts which St. Thomas considers.

From Project Gutenberg

In Fomes the species, of woody consistency from the first, have no room for shrinkage, and are quite rigid; the tubes being in strata, and the strata growing yearly, the species are virtually perennial.

From Project Gutenberg

The plants of the genus Trametes allied to Fomes are epiphytal, with the trama the same in substance and color as the hymenophore.

From Project Gutenberg