Etymology

lysergic

lys·erg·ic
L1Y4S1E1R1G2I1C3

Today it means: Used in the designation of lysergic acid and lysergic acid diethylamide: produced by hydrolysis from ergot. Full definition →

First used 1930s
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The story

Blend of (hydro)lys(is) + erg(ot) + -ic (adjective-forming suffix). Sense 2 (“psychedelic, trippy”) refers to the effects of taking the drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

First known use, by meaning

  • from 1930s Used in the designation of lysergic acid and lysergic acid diethylamide: produced by hydrolysis from ergot.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.