ergotism

noun

er·​got·​ism ˈər-gə-ˌti-zəm 

: a toxic condition produced by eating grain, grain products (such as rye bread), or grasses infected with ergot fungus or by chronic excessive use of an ergot drug

Examples of ergotism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, some scholars suggest that the people of Strasbourg contracted ergotism — a condition that can cause hallucinations, twitches, tremors, convulsions and incredible pain — from a fungus in their food. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2021

Doyle observed that ergotism results in the constriction of blood vessels, producing similar signs and symptoms as tabes dorsalis. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Dec. 2015

When consumed, ergotism poisoning could cause convulsions, hallucinations and other symptoms. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2022

Experts now know that those symptoms are common among people with convulsive ergotism, or ergot poisoning, which is caused by a fungus that can grow on wheat, rye, and other similar grains. —Sarah Klein, Health.com, 2 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French ergotisme, from ergot ergot + -isme -ism

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ergotism

noun

er·​got·​ism ˈər-gət-ˌiz-əm 

: a toxic condition produced by eating grain, grain products (as rye bread), or grasses infected with ergot fungus or by chronic excessive use of an ergot drug