polyporus fomentarius

2 definitions found

polyporus fomentarius - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Polyporus \Po*lyp"o*rus\, n.; pl. Polypori. [NL., fr. Gr.
     poly`s many + ? a pore.] (Bot.)
     A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute
     pores; also, any fungus of this genus.
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     Note: Polyporus fomentarius was formerly dried and cut in
           slices for tinder, called amadou. Polyporus betulinus
           is common in America, and forms very large thick white
           semicircular excrescences on birch trees. Several
           species of Polyporous are considered edible.
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  Punk \Punk\, n. [Cf. Spunk.]
     1. Wood so decayed as to be dry, crumbly, and useful for
        tinder; touchwood.
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     2. A fungus (Polyporus fomentarius, etc.) sometimes dried
        for tinder; agaric.
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     3. An artificial tinder. See Amadou, and Spunk.
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     4. A prostitute; a strumpet. [Obsoles.] --Shak.
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