What does "ergot" mean?

Ergot: The mycelium or spawn of this fungus infecting grains of rye and wheat. It is a powerful remedial agent, and also a dangerous poison, and is used as a means of hastening childbirth, and to arrest bleeding.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Far.) A stub, like soft horn, about the size of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint.
  2. 3.(Anat.) See 2d Calcar, 3 (b).

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