Dictionary entry

Fomes

Webster's Dictionary 1913

‖Fo″mes (fō″mēz), n.; pl.Fomites (fŏm″ĭ‐tēz). [L. fomes, -itis, touch-wood, tinder.] (Med.) Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious germs; as, woolen clothes are said to be active fomites.