Search

.
Contemporary Examples

The huge hit U.K. medical show Embarrassing Bodies has treated armpit abscesses, fungal infections, and much worse.
The Grossest TV Show Ever Venetia Thompson October 2, 2010

Historical Examples

There are three methods of reproduction of the lichen: by fragmentation, by soredia, by the formation of fungal spores.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 5 Various

For a grape of this parentage, it is remarkably free from fungal diseases.
The Grapes of New York U. P. Hedrick

Decay can also be prevented by submergence and burying, if by so doing logs are kept from fungal attacks.
Handwork in Wood William Noyes

Its fruit and foliage are very nearly immune to the fungal diseases of the grape.
The Grapes of New York U. P. Hedrick

Rotundifolia is remarkably resistant to the attacks of all insects and to fungal diseases.
Manual of American Grape-Growing U. P. Hedrick

It is somewhat susceptible to fungal diseases, mildew especially, and needs more than ordinary care.
The Grapes of New York U. P. Hedrick

The vines are productive and are unusually free from attacks of fungal diseases.
Manual of American Grape-Growing U. P. Hedrick

At best it is not a northern grape, ripening its fruit in New York only occasionally, and is much subject to fungal diseases.
The Grapes of New York U. P. Hedrick

In America it has never gained great popularity on account of its susceptibility to fungal diseases.
The Grapes of New York U. P. Hedrick

adjective
of, derived from, or caused by a fungus or fungi: fungal spores, a fungal disease
adj.

1835, from Modern Latin fungalis, from fungus (see fungus).

fungal fun·gal (fŭng’gəl) or fun·gous (-gəs)
adj.

Of, relating to, resembling, or characteristic of a fungus.

Caused by a fungus.

fungus
(fŭng’gəs)
Plural fungi (fŭn’jī, fŭng’gī)
Any of a wide variety of organisms that reproduce by spores, including the mushrooms, molds, yeasts, and mildews. The spores of most fungi grow a network of slender tubes called hyphae that spread into and feed off of dead organic matter or living organisms. Fungi absorb food by excreting enzymes that break down complex substances into molecules that can be absorbed into the hyphae. The hyphae also produce reproductive structures, such as mushrooms and other growths. Some fungi (called perfect fungi) can reproduce by both sexually produced spores and asexual spores; other fungi (called imperfect fungi or deuteromycetes) are thought to have lost their sexual stage and can only reproduce by asexual spores. Fungi can live in a wide variety of environments, and fungal spores can survive extreme temperatures. Fungi exist in over 100,000 species, nearly all of which live on land. They can be extremely destructive, feeding on almost any kind of material and causing food spoilage and many plant diseases. Although fungi were once grouped with plants, they are now considered a separate kingdom in taxonomy. See Table at taxonomy.

fungal adjective