ergot

er·got

noun \ˈər-gət, -ˌgät\

Definition of ERGOT

1

a : the black or dark purple sclerotium of fungi of the genus Claviceps that occurs as a club-shaped body which replaces the seed of various grasses (as rye) b : any fungus of the genus Claviceps

2

: a disease of rye and other cereals caused by fungi of the genus Claviceps and characterized by the presence of ergots in the seed heads—compare ergotism

3

a : the dried sclerotial bodies of an ergot fungus grown on rye and containing several ergot alkaloids b : ergot alkaloid

—er·got·ic \(ˌ)ər-ˈgät-ik\ adjective