transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈər-gət, -ˌgät ]
noun
Etymology: French, 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)ər-ˈgä-tik adjective