Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

   2. An old name for several species of {Polyporus}, corky
      fungi growing on decaying wood.

   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.

   {Agaric mineral}, a light, chalky deposit of carbonate of
      lime, sometimes called {rock milk}, formed in caverns or
      fissures of limestone.