Word Study
ergot
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun ergot has 2 senses
- ergot(n = noun.state) Array - a plant disease caused by the ergot fungus; Array is a kind of plant disease
- ergot(n = noun.plant) claviceps purpurea - a fungus that infects various cereal plants forming compact black masses of branching filaments that replace many grains of the plant; source of medicinally important alkaloids and of lysergic acid; Array is a member of claviceps, genus claviceps
has particulars: rye ergot
is a kind of fungus
Derived form adjective ergotic1
CIDE DICTIONARY
ergot, n. [F. ergot, argot, lit., a spur.].
- A diseased condition of rye and other cereals, in which the grains become black, and often spur-shaped. It is caused by a parasitic fungus,
Claviceps purpurea . [1913 Webster] - The mycelium or spawn of this fungus infecting grains of rye and wheat. It is a powerful remedial agent, and also a dangerous poison, and is used as a means of hastening childbirth, and to arrest bleeding. [1913 Webster]
- A stub, like soft horn, about the size of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint. [1913 Webster]
- See 2d Calcar, 3
(b) . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ergot, n.
1 a disease of rye and other cereals caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
2 a this fungus. b the dried spore-containing structures of this, used as a medicine to aid childbirth.
1 a disease of rye and other cereals caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
2 a this fungus. b the dried spore-containing structures of this, used as a medicine to aid childbirth.
Etymology
F f. OF argot cock's spur, from the appearance produced
For further exploring for "ergot" in Webster Dictionary Online
