▪ I. ergotism1
(ˈɜːgətɪz(ə)m)
[f. ergot n. + -ism.]
1. The disease (in grasses) consisting in the formation of ergot.
| 1853 Pharmaceut. Jrnl. XIII. 13 Mr. Blyth drew attention to the subject of the ergotism of grasses. |
2. The disease produced by eating bread made from flour affected by ergot.
| 1869 E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 222 The most important disease connected with flour is..ergotism. 1876 Bartholow Mat. Med. (1879) 289 Chronic ergotism..exists in two forms, the convulsive and gangrenous. |
3. The use of ergot for poisoning animals.
| 1884 A. Willows in Australasian 8 Nov. 875/4 The special claims of ergotism..are its cheapness, etc. |
▪ II. ergotism2
(ˈɜːgətɪz(ə)m)
[a. Fr. ergotisme, f. L. ergo, associated with ergoter: see ergot v.]
a. Arguing, quibbling, wrangling. b. Logical conclusions.
| 1656–81 Blount Glossogr. 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. (1756) 60 States are not governed by ergotisms. 1685 Cotton Montaigne I. 269, I think these lowsy ergotismes and little sophistry..are the cause. 1775 in Ash. 1847 in Craig; and in mod. Dicts. |