basidiomycete

 
Pronunciation: /bəˌsɪdɪəˈmʌɪsiːt/

noun (plural basidiomycetes /-ˈmʌɪsiːts, -mʌɪˈsiːtiːz/)

Botany
  • a fungus whose spores develop in basidia. They include the majority of familiar mushrooms and toadstools. Compare with ascomycete.
    • Subdivision Basidiomycotina (formerly class Basidiomycetes): several classes

Origin:

late 19th century: anglicized singular of modern Latin Basidiomycetes, from basidium (see basidium) + Greek mukētes 'fungi'