Found 2 items, similar to Ergot.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: ergot ergot n 1: a plant disease caused by the ergot fungus 2: 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 [syn: Claviceps purpurea]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Ergot Ergot \Er"got\, n. [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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 3. (Far.) A stub, like soft horn, about the size of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint. [1913 Webster] 4. (Anat.) See 2d Calcar, 3 (b) . [1913 Webster]