rhizopus

noun

rhi·​zo·​pus ˈrī-zə-pəs 

-ˌpu̇s

: any of a genus (Rhizopus) of mold fungi including some economically valuable forms and some plant or animal pathogens (such as a bread mold)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from rhiz- + Greek pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rhizopus

noun

rhi·​zo·​pus ˈrī-zə-pəs 

1

capitalized : a genus of fungi of the family Mucoraceae that have columellate hemispherical aerial sporangia formed in fascicles anchored to the substrate and tufts of rhizoids or root hyphae connected by stolons and that include a common bread mold (R. nigricans) and several forms found in phycomycoses of some mammals including humans

2

: any fungus of the genus Rhizopus