The spelling of the word "agaric" follows English orthography rules. The IPA phonetic transcription for "agaric" is /ˈæɡərɪk/. The initial sound is /æ/, which is the short "a" sound. The second sound is /ɡ/, which is the voiced velar stop. The third sound is /ə/, which is the schwa sound. The fourth sound is /r/, which is the alveolar tap. The final sound is /ɪk/, which is the suffix -ic. Together, these sounds make up the word "agaric," which refers to a type of mushroom.
Agaric is a peculiar term used to refer to a group of mushrooms belonging to the family Agaricaceae. These mushrooms are characterized by their unique cap and stem structure, making them easily distinguishable from other types of fungi. The term "agaric" is derived from the Latin word "agaricum," which in turn is derived from the Greek word "agarikon."
In terms of morphology, agarics typically have a dome-shaped cap with distinct gills on the underside. These gills are thin, radiating structures that produce spores, which serve as the reproductive units of the fungus. The stem of an agaric is often cylindrical in shape and supports the cap. It also contains the mycelium, the vegetative part of the fungus responsible for nutrient absorption.
Agarics are widely distributed and can be found in various habitats worldwide, ranging from forests to grasslands. Some species of agarics are edible and are consumed by humans, while others are toxic or hallucinogenic and should be avoided.
The term "agaric" can also be used more broadly to refer to any mushroom that resembles the typical structure described above, regardless of its taxonomic classification. This includes mushrooms from other families, such as Amanitaceae or Strophariaceae, which exhibit similar cap and stem characteristics.
In summary, agaric is a term used to describe a group of mushrooms characterized by their distinctive cap and stem structure. It is a broad term encompassing different taxa, and some agarics are edible, while others should be treated with caution due to their toxic or hallucinogenic properties.
Boletus, the dried plant Polyporus officinalis. It has been employed in the treatment of the night sweats of phthisis in dose of gr. 5 (0.3).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Pert. to fungi.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "agaric" has its origins in the ancient Greek term "agarikos". It was used to refer to fungi that grew on the wood of trees. The Greek term, in turn, was derived from the Greek word "agros" meaning "field" or "wild place". It referred to the idea that these fungi were found in natural areas rather than cultivated fields. Over time, the term "agaric" was adopted into Latin as "agaricum" and then into Old French as "agaric". Eventually, it made its way into Middle English as "agaric", retaining its original meaning of a type of fungus.