[mass noun]a fungal disease of rye and other cereals in which black elongated fruiting bodies grow in the ears of the cereal. Eating contaminated food can result in ergotism (黑麦和其他谷物的)麦角病
The fungus is Claviceps purpurea, subdivision Ascomycotina 该真菌汉语名亦为麦角菌,子囊菌亚门 ■[count noun]a fruiting body of this fungus 麦角 ■these fruiting bodies used as a source of certain medicinal alkaloids, especially for inducing uterine contractions or controlling post-partum bleeding 麦角
a small horny protuberance on the back of each of a horse's fetlocks 马球节角质残迹
语源
late 17th cent.: from French, from Old French argot 'cock's spur' (because of the appearance produced by the disease)