IPA: /ˈɜːrɡəˌtaɪzd/
KK: /ˈɜrɡəˌtaɪzd/
Having been affected or infected by a type of fungus that can cause poisoning.
The farmer discovered that the grain was ergotized, leading to concerns about food safety.
Ergotized → The word is derived from 'ergot' (from Latin *ergotum*, meaning a type of fungus) and the suffix '-ized' (meaning to make or to become). The term 'ergotized' refers to the process of being affected by or treated with ergot, particularly in a medical or pharmacological context.
Think of 'ergot' as the fungus that can affect health, and '-ized' means to make or become. So, when something is 'ergotized', it means it has been made to involve or be affected by this fungus.