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ergot

2 ENTRIES FOUND:

er·got

noun \ˈər-gət, -ˌgät\

Definition of ERGOT

1
: the black or dark purple sclerotium of fungi (genus Claviceps) that occurs as a club-shaped body replacing the seed of a grass (as rye); also : a fungus bearing ergots
2
: a disease of rye and other cereals caused by an ergot fungus
3
a : the dried sclerotia of an ergot fungus grown on rye and containing several alkaloids (as ergonovine and ergotamine) b : any of such alkaloids used medicinally for their contractile effect on smooth muscle (as of the uterus and or blood vessels)
er·got·ic \(ˌ)ər-ˈgä-tik\ adjective

Origin of ERGOT

French, literally, cock's spur
First Known Use: 1683

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