Dictionary

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 (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
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Origin of ERGOT

French, literally, cock's spur
First Known Use: 1683
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
er·got·ic \(ˌ)ər-ˈgät-ik\ adjective

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2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: ergotaminePrevious Word in the Dictionary: ergosterolAll Words Near: ergot
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