ergastic

adjective

er·​gas·​tic (ˌ)ər-ˈga-stik How to pronounce ergastic (audio)
: constituting the nonliving by-products of protoplasmic activity
ergastic substances

Word History

Etymology

Greek ergastikos able to work, from ergazesthai to work, from ergon work

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ergastic was circa 1896

Dictionary Entries Near ergastic

Cite this Entry

“Ergastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergastic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ergastic

adjective
er·​gas·​tic (ˌ)ər-ˈgas-tik How to pronounce ergastic (audio)
: constituting the nonliving by-products (as intracellular deposits of starch or fat) of protoplasmic activity
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!