English

Noun

ergotism ‎(countable and uncountable, plural ergotisms)

1. The effect of long-term ergot poisoning, traditionally due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced by the Claviceps purpurea fungus which infects rye and other cereals, and more recently by the action of a number of ergoline-based drugs.

Synonyms

• ergotoxicosis
• Saint Anthony's fire

Etymology 2

French ergotisme, from Latin ergo.

Noun

ergotism ‎(plural ergotisms)

1. A logical deduction.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir Thomas Browne to this entry?)