ergot

noun er·got \ 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 (such 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 (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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ergotic

play \(ˌ)ər-ˈgä-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of ergot from the Web

The researcher, Albert Hofmann, was synthesizing molecules from ergot—a fungus that commonly infects grains used for bread.

— andrea gawrylewski, Scientific American, "Apollo, the Graphic Novel; Scientists on Acid and Other New Science Books," 1 June 2018
Derived from the ergot fungi, Albert Hoffman accidentally created LSD in a Swiss lab in 1938.

— jason diamond, The New Republic, "Can Psychedelic Drugs Do Good?," 15 May 2018
Sandoz scientists isolated a dozen ergot alkaloids in the hope of finding a few that might prove therapeutic.

— ellen ruppel shell, BostonGlobe.com, "Take a hit of acid and call me in the morning," 11 May 2018
Ergothioneine, or ergo, is actually an antioxidant amino acid that was initially discovered in 1909 in ergot fungi.

— robert beelman, CNN, "The humble mushroom is the newest superfood," 25 Apr. 2018
Experts now know that those symptoms are common among people with convulsive ergotism, or ergot poisoning, which is caused by a fungus that can grow on wheat, rye, and other similar grains.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "The Surprising Medical Origins of Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves, and More Spooky Characters," 2 Oct. 2017
Hofmann had been working with ergot, a rye fungus, hoping to develop a new and improved cardiovascular stimulant.

— don lattin, Slate Magazine, "The War on Drugs Halted Research Into the Potential Benefits of Psychedelics," 3 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ergot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ergot

French, literally, cock's spur

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1683

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

ergot

noun er·got \ ˈər-gət , -ˌgät \

medical 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

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