fungus
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noun (plural fungi |-jī, -ɡī| or funguses)
any of a group of unicellular, multicellular, or syncytial spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools.
〘植〙 (キノコ･カビなどの)菌類.
fungal infection (especially on fish).
菌類が引き起こす病気; 感染症.
in singular used to describe something that has appeared or grown rapidly and is considered unpleasant or unattractive:
〖単数形で〗急に発生［成長］する(嫌な)もの.
e.g. there was a fungus of outbuildings behind the house.
Fungi lack chlorophyll and are therefore incapable of photosynthesis. Many play an ecologically vital role in breaking down dead organic matter; some are an important source of antibiotics or are used in fermentation, and others cause disease. The familiar mushrooms and toadstools are merely the fruiting bodies of organisms that exist mainly as a threadlike mycelium in the soil. Some fungi form associations with other plants, growing with algae to form lichens, or in the roots of higher plants to form mycorrhizas. Fungi are now often classified as a separate kingdom distinct from the green plants.
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from Latin, perhaps from Greek spongos (see sponge).