agaric

n. [ L. agaricum, Gr. &unr_;, said to be fr. Agara, a town in Sarmatia. ] 1. (Bot.) A fungus of the genus Agaricus, of many species, of which the common mushroom is an example. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An old name for several species of Polyporus, corky fungi growing on decaying wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The “female agaric” (Polyporus officinalis) was renowned as a cathartic; the “male agaric” (Polyporus igniarius) is used for preparing touchwood, called punk or German tinder. [ 1913 Webster ]

Agaric mineral, a light, chalky deposit of carbonate of lime, sometimes called rock milk, formed in caverns or fissures of limestone. [ 1913 Webster ]