fungus (noun M) : for sfungus, kindred to σφόγγος, σπόγγος, the initial s suppressed as in fallo, fides, nurus, etc.; cf. funis, and v. the letter S.
* A mushroom, moril, fungus.
* Lit.: satis esse nobis non magis hoc potis est quam imber fungo,Plaut. Stich. 5, 5, 33; Plin. 22, 23, 47, § 96; Hor. S. 2, 4, 20.
* Transf.
* A soft-pated fellow, a dolt: stulti, stolidi, fatui, fungi, bardi, blenni, buccones,Plaut. Bacch. 5, 1, 2; so id. ib. 2, 3, 49; 4, 7, 23.
* A fungous excrescence on the human body, Tert. Spect. 23; cf.: fungo simile ulcus,Cels. 6, 18, 11.—On the olive-tree, Plin. 17, 24, 37, § 223.
* A collection of lamp-black on the wick of a candle or lamp, a candle-snuff, Verg. G. 1, 392.

s. TLL