ergot Definition
er·got (ʉr′gət, -gät′)
noun
- the hard, reddish-brown or black, grainlike masses (sclerotia) of certain parasitic fungi (esp. genus Claviceps) that replace the kernels of rye or other cereal plants
- the disease in which this occurs; specif., the disease of rye caused by a species (Claviceps purpurea) of this fungus
- the dried sclerotia of the rye fungus from which several alkaloids are extracted that have the ability to contract blood vessels and smooth muscle tissue
- any of these alkaloids
Etymology: Fr < OFr argot, a rooster's spur, hence (from the shape) the disease growth in the plant
ergot Related Forms
er·got′ic (ʉr gät′ik) adjective
ergot Usage Examples
Preposition: of
rye: The remarkable effect of the ergot of rye in restraining these losses lends color to the idea.
Modifies a noun
- alkaloid: Ergot alkaloids The ergot alkaloids have been used to treat migraine attacks for over 50 years.
- poisoning: Until quite recently, outbreaks of ergot poisoning approaching epidemic proportions were recorded in most European countries including certain areas of Russia.
- fungus: Finally, another molecule, derived from the ergot fungus, methysergide ( Alliance ), has some use in migraine prevention.
- derivative: The mechanism of action of the ergot derivatives is probably related to their 5-HT agonist effects.
- contamination: Should ergot contamination of the crop occur the crop would be valueless.
Noun used with modifier
Browse dictionary entries near ergot
- ‹ ergosterol
- ‹ ergonovine
- ‹ ergonomics
- ‹ ergometer
- ‹ ergograph
- ‹ ergocalciferol
- ‹ ergo (Latin)
- ‹ ergo
- ‹ ergative
- ‹ erg
- ergotamine ›
- ergotism ›
- Eric ›
- Eric the Red ›
- Erica ›
- ericaceous ›
- Ericson ›
- Ericsson ›
- Eridanus ›
- Erie ›

