amanita

American  

[am-uh-nahy-tuh, -nee-] / ˌæm əˈnaɪ tə, -ˈni- /

noun

1. any agaricaceous fungus of the genus Amanita, comprised chiefly of poisonous species.

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amanita British  

/ ˌæməˈnaɪtə /

noun

1. any of various saprotrophic agaricaceous fungi constituting the genus Amanita, having white gills and a broken membranous ring (volva) around the stalk. The genus includes several highly poisonous species, such as death cap, destroying angel, and fly agaric

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Etymology

Origin of amanita

1821; < New Latin < Greek amānîtai (plural) kind of fungi

Example Sentences

“While it’s possible, even likely, that Sámi people formerly used amanita, it’s unlikely that this had any meaningful impact on Christmas lore in Europe,” says Frandy.

From National Geographic • Dec. 21, 2023

The only time Frandy has seen Sámi shaman in particular connected to amanita was when a Finnish ethnographer claimed in the 1940s that Inari Sámi noaiddit used to consume amanita with seven spots.

From National Geographic • Dec. 21, 2023

The species, whose botanical name is amanita muscaria, is thought to have been first named for its use in parts of Europe as an insecticide, according to Britain's Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, southwest London.

From Reuters • Dec. 12, 2014

In this effect, the organic phosphorus compounds resemble the alkaloid poison muscarine, found in a poisonous mushroom, the fly amanita.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

It was the amanita, the deadliest and the most widely distributed of the fungi, and the direst of all vegetable poisons to man and beast alike.

From Jacqueline of Golden River by Coleman, Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen)