[a. Fr. ergotisme, f. L. ergo, associated with ergoter: see ERGOT v.] a. Arguing, quibbling, wrangling. b. Logical conclusions.

1

1656–81.  Blount, Glossogr.

2

1682.  Sir T. Browne, Chr. Mor. (1716), 51. States are not governed by Ergotisms.

3

1685.  Cotton, trans. Montaigne, I. 269. I think these lowsie Ergotismes, and little Sophistry, by prepossessing the Avenues unto it, are the cause.

4

1775.  in Ash.

5

1847.  in Craig; and in mod. Dicts.

6