Pl. fomites. [L. fōmes, fōmitis touchwood, tinder.] † a. The morbific matter (of a disease) (obs.). b. ‘Any porous substance capable of absorbing and retaining contagious effluvia’ (Mayne).
1773. Gentl. Mag., XLIII. 554. If this putrid ferment could be more immediately corrected, a stop would probably be put to the flux, and the fomes of the disease likewise removed.
1803. Med. Jrnl., X. 213. Considering the disease is not very, if at all, infectious, I cannot say that I have known it spread from fomites.
1851–9. A. Bryson, in Man. Sc. Enq., 248. The incubative period of plague, and, if it rage epidemically, proof of its having acquired infectious or contagious properties which have been transmitted from one person to another, either simply through the medium of the atmosphere, or by means of fomites, are still questions of paramount interest to every nation which has communication with the shores of the Mediterranean.
1882. Quain’s Dict. Med., s.v. The most important fomites are bed-clothes, bedding, woollen garments, carpets, curtains, letters, &c.
fig. 1658. J. Owen, Temptation, vii. 126. Men have peculiar naturall tempers, which according as they are attended or mannaged, prove a great Fomes of sinne, or advantage to the exercise of Grace.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnotheo, Poet. Wks. 1721, III. 327.
| Concupiscential Fomes, which possess’d | |
| The Parents thus, was on their Race impress’d. |
