fomite


fo·mite

noun \ˈfō-ˌmīt\
plural fo·mites\ˈfō-ˌmīts; ˈfä-mə-ˌtēz, ˈfō-\

Definition of FOMITE

: an object (as a dish or an article of clothing) that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and serve in their transmission

Origin of FOMITE

back-formation from fomites, from New Latin, plural of fomit-, fomes, from Latin, kindling wood; akin to Latin fovēre to heat — more at foment
First Known Use: 1803

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: Fomor
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Fomes
All Words Near: fomite

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up fomite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Name That Thing

Take our visual vocab quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

True or False?

A quick quiz about stuff worth knowing

Take It Now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day and More

Facebook | Twitter

Get Our Free Apps

Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More

iPhone | iPad | Android | More