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Webster 1913 Edition

Fomes

‖

Fo′mes

(fō′mēz)

,

Noun.

;

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

.