lysergic acid

noun

ly·​ser·​gic acid lə-ˈsər-jik- How to pronounce lysergic acid (audio) (ˌ)lī- How to pronounce lysergic acid (audio)
: a crystalline acid C16H16N2O2 from ergotic alkaloids
also : lsd

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web It’s created from the lysergic acid found in ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye. Stav Dimitropoulos, SELF, 29 Apr. 2021

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

Word History

Etymology

lysergic from lys- (in hydrolysis) + erg(ot) + -ic entry 1

Note: Word introduced by the American biochemist Walter A. Jacobs (1883-1967) and chemist Lyman C. Craig (1906-74) in "The ergot alkaloids II. The degradation of ergotinine with alkali. Lysergic acid," Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 104, no. 3 (March 1, 1934), pp. 547-51.

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lysergic acid was in 1934

Dictionary Entries Near lysergic acid

Cite this Entry

“Lysergic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lysergic%20acid. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

lysergic acid

noun
ly·​ser·​gic acid lə-ˌsər-jik- How to pronounce lysergic acid (audio) (ˌ)lī- How to pronounce lysergic acid (audio)
: a crystalline acid C16H16N2O2 that is an ergotic alkaloid
also : lsd

More from Merriam-Webster on lysergic acid

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Which Came First?

  • baby chick with a brown egg
  • hot take or cold shoulder?
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY