Main Entry: fo·mite

Pronunciation: \ˈfō-ˌmīt\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural fo·mites \ˈfō-ˌmīts; ˈfä-mə-ˌtēz, ˈfō-\

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

Date: 1803

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