n. (pl. fungi or funguses)
1. any of a group of unicellular, multicellular, or multinucleate non-photosynthetic organisms feeding on organic matter, which include moulds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.
2 anything similar usu. growing suddenly and rapidly.
3 Med. a spongy morbid growth.
4 sl. a beard.
Derivatives:
fungal adj. fungiform adj. fungivorous adj.
Etymology: L, perh. f. Gk sp(h)oggos SPONGE