ERGOT

ergot, Claviceps purpurea

(noun) 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

ergot

(noun) a plant disease caused by the ergot fungus

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

ergot (countable and uncountable, plural ergots)

Any fungus in the genus Claviceps which are parasitic on grasses.

The sclerotium (wintering stage) of certain fungi in the genus Claviceps, appearing as a deformed grain in certain cereals and grasses infected by the fungi.

Anagrams

• Grote, Roget, Trego, regot

Source: Wiktionary

Er"got, n. Etym: [F. ergot, argot, lit., a spur.]

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. (Far.)

Definition: A stub, like soft horn, about the size of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint.

4. (Anat.)

Definition: See 2d Calcar, 3 (b).

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition