Definition of "ergotism" in English

noun

1. The plant disease caused by ergot.

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

3. The use of ergot-infested grain to poison animals.

noun

1. A logical deduction.