a disease of cereals and other grasses caused by ascomycete fungi of the genus Claviceps, esp C. purpurea, in which the seeds or grain of the plants are replaced by the spore-containing bodies (sclerotia) of the fungus
2.
any fungus causing this disease
3.
the dried sclerotia of C. purpurea, used as the source of certain alkaloids used to treat haemorrhage, facilitate uterine contraction in childbirth, etc
Word origin
C17: from French: spur (of a cock), of unknown origin
ergot in American English
(ˈɜrgət; ɜrˌgɑt)
noun
1.
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
2.
the disease in which this occurs; specif., the disease of rye caused by a species (Claviceps purpurea) of this fungus
3.
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
4.
any of these alkaloids
Derived forms
ergotic (erˈgotic) (ɜrˈgɑtɪk)
adjective
Word origin
Fr < OFr argot, a rooster's spur, hence (from the shape) the disease growth in the plant
ergot in the Pharmaceutical Industry
(ɜrɡət)
noun
(Pharmaceutical: Drugs)
Ergot is a substance obtained from a type of fungus, which is the source of certain alkaloids used to treat hemorrhageand facilitate contraction of the uterus in childbirth.
Small doses of ergot can produce contraction and relaxation of the uterus.
The ergot alkaloids were used to induce childbirth and stop excessive bleeding.
Ergot is a substance obtained from a type of fungus, which is the source of certain alkaloidsused to treat hemorrhage and facilitate contraction of the uterus in childbirth.