Fomes (family Polyporaceae) A genus of fungi, in which the fruit bodies are often large, perennial, and corky or woody in texture, and have light chestnut-brown ‘flesh’. They are found on living or dead trees. Many species formerly belonging to this genus are now classified in other genera: for example, F. annosus is now Heterobasidion annosum and F. igniarius is now Phellinus igniarius, See also TINDER FUNGUS.

fomes (foh-meez) n. (pl. fomites) any object that is used or handled by a person with a communicable disease and may therefore become contaminated with the infective organisms and transmit the disease to a subsequent user. Common fomites are towels, bed-clothes, cups, and money.