agaric

noun

aga·​ric ˈa-gər-ik  ə-ˈger-ik 

-ˈga-rik

1

: the dried fruiting body of a fungus (Laricifomes officinalis synonym Agaricum officinale) formerly used in medicine

2

: any of a family (Agaricaceae) of fungi with the sporophore usually resembling an umbrella and with numerous gills on the underside of the cap

Examples of agaric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On one of these, the mushroom theme arose again: The seat was painted to look like a Fly agaric, red with irregular white dots. —Ella Riley-Adams, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English agaryke, kind of mushroom used medicinally, probably Laricifomes officinalis, borrowed from Latin agaricum, a tree fungus, borrowed from Greek agarikón (Dioscorides), probably from Agaría, district of Sarmatia + -ikon, neuter of -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing agaric

• fly agaric

Medical Definition

agaric

noun

aga·​ric ˈag-ə-rik  ə-ˈgar-ik 

1

: the dried fruit body of a mushroom (Fomes officinalis synonym Polyporus officinalis) formerly used in the treatment of excessive perspiration (as in the night sweats of tuberculosis)

called also larch agaric

2

: a fungus of the family Agaricaceae and especially of the genus Agaricus