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 (such as rye); also : a fungus bearing ergots
2 : a disease of rye and other cereals caused by an ergot fungus
3a : the dried sclerotia of an ergot fungus grown on rye and containing several alkaloids (such 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)
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Origin and Etymology of ergot
French, literally, cock's spur
First Known Use: 1683
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of ergot
1a: 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
3a: the dried sclerotial bodies of an ergot fungus grown on rye and containing several ergot alkaloidsb: ergot alkaloid
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See words that rhyme with ergot Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ergot
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