from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Agaric \Ag"a*ric\ (?; 277), n. [L. agaricum, Gr. ?, said to be
fr. Agara, a town in Sarmatia.]
1. (Bot.) A fungus of the genus {Agaricus}, of many species,
of which the common mushroom is an example.
[1913 Webster]
2. An old name for several species of {Polyporus}, corky
fungi growing on decaying wood.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The "female agaric" ({Polyporus officinalis}) was
renowned as a cathartic; the "male agaric" ({Polyporus
igniarius}) is used for preparing touchwood, called
punk or German tinder.
[1913 Webster]
{Agaric mineral}, a light, chalky deposit of carbonate of
lime, sometimes called {rock milk}, formed in caverns or
fissures of limestone.
[1913 Webster]