ERGOTISED Meaning and
Definition
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Ergotised is an adjective that describes something that has been affected, contaminated, or poisoned by ergot, a fungus called Claviceps purpurea that infects cereal crops such as rye. The term derives from the word "ergot," which refers to the fungus itself.
When rye or other similar grains are infected with ergot, the resulting condition is referred to as ergotism, and can have detrimental effects on humans and animals that consume the contaminated grains. Ergotised grains can contain a variety of toxic alkaloids produced by the fungus, including ergotamine and ergocristine, which can have psychoactive and vasoconstrictive properties.
In humans, the consumption of ergotised grain can result in ergotism, a condition characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, convulsions, gangrene, and even death in severe cases. Historically, outbreaks of ergotism, known as St. Anthony's Fire, were quite common, particularly in medieval Europe, since rye was a staple crop and often susceptible to ergot contamination.
In veterinary medicine, ergotised grains have been associated with various disorders in livestock, such as poor fertility, lameness, and decreased appetite. Farmers and agriculturalists need to be aware of the risk of ergotism in their livestock, since the ingestion of ergotised grains can have a negative impact on animal health and productivity.
Overall, the term ergotised relates to the contamination of grain crops with the ergot fungus, and refers to the detrimental effects this contamination can have on both human and animal health.
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Diseased by ergot, as rye.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ERGOTISED
- ergotized
- ergootized
- wrgotised
- srgotised
- drgotised
- rrgotised
- 4rgotised
- 3rgotised
- e5gotised
- erfotised
- ervotised
- erbotised
- erhotised
- eryotised
- ertotised
- ergitised
- ergktised
- ergltised
- ergptised
- erg0tised
Etymology of ERGOTISED
The word "ergotised" is formed from the combination of two words: "ergot" and the suffix "-ised".
The term "ergot" originates from the Late Latin word "argotum", which refers to the dried cockspur or ergot of rye. It was later adapted from Old French to Middle English, becoming "ergot" in the 16th century.
"Ergot" itself comes from Greek, where it was called "ergotés", meaning "spur" or "projecting part". This is due to the appearance of the fungal disease known as ergot, which affects cereal grains like rye, often forming dark, elongated structures resembling spurs or horns.
The suffix "-ised" is derived from the Old French "-ise" or Latin "-izare", both of which indicate the action, process, or result of a particular verb.
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