agaric

aga·ric

noun \ˈa-gər-ik, ə-ˈger-ik, -ˈga-rik\

Definition of AGARIC

1

: the dried fruiting body of a fungus (Fomes officinalis syn. Polyporus officinalis) formerly used in medicine

2

: any of a family (Agaricaceae) of fungi with the sporophore usually resembling an umbrella and with numerous gills on the underside of the cap

Origin of AGARIC

Latin agaricum, a fungus, from Greek agarikon

First Known Use: 15th century

aga·ric

noun \ˈag-ə-rik, ə-ˈgar-ik\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of AGARIC

1

: the dried fruit body of a mushroom (Fomes officinalis synonym Polyporus officinalis) formerly used in the treatment of excessive perspiration (as in the night sweats of tuberculosis)—called also larch agaric

2

: a fungus of the family Agaricaceae and especially of the genus Agaricus

agaric

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any fungus of the family Agaricaceae, including the familiar commercially grown mushroom. Agarics have spore-bearing cells (basidia) located on thin sheets called gills. Best known of the agarics is the genus Agaricus, which includes more than 200 species, the most prominent being the edible meadow, or field, mushroom, A. campestris, and the common cultivated mushroom, A. bisporus.