n.
Pronunciation: ' ə r-g ə t, - ˌ gät
Function: noun
Etymology: F, literally, cock's spur
Date: 1683
1 : the black or dark purple sclerotium of fungi (genus Claviceps ) that occurs as a club-shaped body replacing the seed of a grass (as rye) also : a fungus bearing ergots
2 : a disease of rye and other cereals caused by an ergot fungus
3 a : the dried sclerotia of an ergot fungus grown on rye and containing several alkaloids (as ergonovine and ergotamine) b : any of such alkaloids used medicinally for their contractile effect on smooth muscle (as of the uterus and or blood vessels)
– er · got · ic \ ( ˌ ) ə r- ' gä-tik \ adjective