fomites
[ fom-i-teez, foh-mi-. ]
/ ˈfɒm ɪˌtiz, ˈfoʊ mɪ-. /
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plural noun, singular fo·mes [foh-meez], /ˈfoʊ miz/, fo·mite [foh-mahyt]. /ˈfoʊ maɪt/.
Pathology. surfaces, as clothing or door handles, that can become contaminated with pathogens when touched by the carrier of an infection, and can then transmit the pathogens to those who next touch the surfaces: Doorknobs are often cited as the classic fomites, although there’s nothing unusual about spreading disease via such fomites as toys, towels, elevator buttons, light switches, and remote controls.
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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021