Definition

A type of fungus that grows on cereal plants, replacing the grains with dark, compact masses. It can cause disease in plants and is used to produce important medicinal compounds.

Example

Farmers must be careful to prevent ergot from infecting their rye crops, as it can lead to serious health issues.

Conversation

Have you heard about the effects of ergot on rye crops?

Yeah, I read that it can really damage the grains.

It's interesting how it can also be used for medicinal purposes, right?

Absolutely! I think some people even use ergot for its alkaloids.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ergot comes from the Latin word 'ergotum', which means 'spur' or 'a type of fungus'. The term specifically refers to a fungus that grows on rye and other grains, causing ergotism when ingested. The word 'ergot' thus refers to this specific fungal growth.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ergotum' meaning 'spur' — this helps you remember that 'ergot' refers to a fungus that can spur health issues when consumed.

Visually Confused Words