ascomycete

noun

as·​co·​my·​cete ˌa-skō-ˈmī-ˌsēt 

-ˌmī-ˈsēt

: any of a group (such as class Ascomycetes or subdivision Ascomycotina) of higher fungi (such as yeasts or molds) with septate hyphae and spores formed in asci

ascomycetous

ˌa-skō-ˌmī-ˈsē-təs 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Greek askos + mykēt-, mykēs fungus; akin to Greek myxa mucus — more at mucus

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ascomycete

noun

as·​co·​my·​cete ˌas-kō-ˈmī-ˌsēt 

-mī-ˈsēt

: any of a class of higher fungi (as yeasts and molds) that have the hyphae divided by partitions and the spores produced in sacs

called also sac fungus

Medical Definition

ascomycete

noun

as·​co·​my·​cete ˌas-kō-ˈmī-sə-(ˌ)tē  as-ˈkō-mi-ˌsēt 

: any of a group of higher fungi (as yeasts and molds) with spores formed in asci that are variously considered to form a class (Ascomycetes), a subdivision (Ascomycotina), or a division (Ascomycota)

ascomycetous

ˌas-kō-ˈmī-sēt-əs, ˌas-(ˌ)kō-mi-ˈsēt-əs 

adjective