Main Entry: er·got

Pronunciation: \ˈər-gət, -ˌgät\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, literally, cock's spur

Date: 1683

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