ergotism
ergotism · ergotisms
The plant disease caused by ergotThe plant disease caused by ergot.
US/ˈɝɡətˌɪzəm/
Meaning
4 senses(countable, uncountable)The plant disease caused by ergot.
(countable, uncountable)The effect of long-term ergot poisoning, traditionally due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea which infects rye and other cereals, and more recently by the action of a number of ergoline-based drugs, consisting of convulsive and gangrenous symptoms.
(countable, uncountable)The use of ergot-infested grain to poison animals.
A logical deduction.
More definitions
- poisoning by ingestion of ergot-infected grain products; characterized by thirst and diarrhea and nausea and cramping and vomiting and abnormal cardiac rhythms; in severe cases it can cause seizures and gangrene of the limbs
Origin
From ergot + -ism. From French ergotisme, from Latin ergo.Forms
plural: ergotismsSynonyms
20 synonymsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable