oidium

noun oid·i·um \ ō-ˈi-dē-əm \

Definition of oidium

plural oidia play \ō-ˈi-dē-ə\

1 a : any of a genus (Oidium of the family Moniliaceae) of imperfect fungi many of which are now considered to be conidial stages of various powdery mildews

b : one of the small conidia borne in chains by various fungi (such as an oidium) — called also arthrospore

2 : a powdery mildew especially of grapes caused by an oidium

Origin and Etymology of oidium

New Latin, from o- + -idium

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1888

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

oidium

noun oid·ium \ ō-ˈid-ē-əm \

medical Definition of oidium

1 capitalized : a genus of imperfect fungi of the family Moniliaceae including many which are now considered to be conidial stages of various powdery mildews