organism like fungus: a simple organism, similar to a fungus, that feeds on rotting material or living plants by absorbing nutrients through fine threads. Oomycetes include the water molds, downy mildews, and potato blight. Phylum Oomycota.
[Early 20th century. < modern Latin Oomycetes< Greek ōion "egg" (see oo-) + mukēs "fungus"]
