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lysergic acid

American  
[lahy-sur-jik, li-] / laɪˈsɜr dʒɪk, lɪ- /

noun

Chemistry.
  1. a crystalline solid, C 16 H 16 N 2 O 2 , obtained from ergot or synthesized: used in the synthesis of LSD.


lysergic acid British  
/ lɪˈsɜːdʒɪk, laɪ- /

noun

  1. a crystalline compound with a polycyclic molecular structure: used in medical research. Formula C 16 H 16 N 2 O 2

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lysergic acid Scientific  
/ lĭ-sûrjĭk,lī- /
  1. A crystalline alkaloid that is a major constituent of ergot. It is used in medical research to induce hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms of psychosis. The drug LSD is a derivative of lysergic acid. Chemical formula: C 16 H 16 N 2 O 2 .


Etymology

Origin of lysergic acid

First recorded in 1930–35; lys- + erg(ot) + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We were among the stoners, booze hounds, skirt chasers and well-read wise-guy layabouts who survived the Vietnam War with college deferments, and the dark tide of existential angst with the help of lysergic acid.

From Salon

In one of the most terrifying examples of self experimentation in the annals of science, Hoffman ingested 250 micrograms of lysergic acid and had to be helped home on his bicycle by his lab assistant.

From The Guardian

Depending upon the habitat, host grass, and climate, the fungus contains different ergot alkaloids, for the most part lysergic acid derivatives.

From Scientific American

Even if that does not happen, making lysergic acid in yeast is still a good idea.

From Economist

It had come out of the old experiments with lysergic acid and mescalin.

From Project Gutenberg