I. er·go·tism ˈergəˌtizəm, ˈər- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French ergotisme, from ergoter to quibble, cavil (from Old French argoter, from Latin ergo therefore) + -isme -ism — more at ergo
: logical or sophistical reasoning
II. er·got·ism ˈərgəd.ˌizəm, -ˌgäd.- noun
( -s )
Etymology: ergot + -ism
: a toxic condition produced by eating grain, grain products (as rye bread), or grasses infected with ergot fungus or by chronic excessive use of the drug ergot and characterized by cramps of the muscles or dry gangrene — see saint anthony's fire