basidiomycete

noun ba·sid·io·my·cete \ bə-ˌsi-dē-ō-ˈmī-ˌsēt , -ˌmī-ˈsēt \

Definition of basidiomycete

: any of a group of higher fungi that have septate hyphae and spores borne on a basidium, that include rusts, smuts, mushrooms, and puffballs, and that are variously considered to comprise a class (Basidiomycetes), a subdivision (Basidiomycotina), or a division (Basidiomycota)

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basidiomycetous

play \-dē-ō-ˌmī-ˈsē-təs\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of basidiomycete

ultimately from New Latin basidium + Greek mykēt-, mykēs fungus; akin to Greek myxa mucus — more at mucus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1884

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

basidiomycete

noun ba·sid·io·my·cete \ bə-ˌsid-ē-ō-ˈmī-ˌsēt , -ˌmī-ˈsēt \

medical Definition of basidiomycete

: any of a group of higher fungi that have septate hyphae and spores borne on a basidium produced directly from the mycelium or as an outgrowth of a spore, that include rusts, smuts, and numerous edible forms (as many mushrooms), and that are variously considered to comprise a class (Basidiomycetes), a subdivision (Basidiomycotina), or a division (Basidiomycota)

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