agaric

noun

aga·​ric ˈa-gər-ik How to pronounce agaric (audio) ə-ˈger-ik How to pronounce agaric (audio)
-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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agaric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of agaric was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near agaric

Cite this Entry

“Agaric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agaric. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

agaric

noun
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
Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!