tetanus

[ tet-n-uhs ]

noun

1. Pathology. an infectious, often fatal disease caused by a specific bacterium that enters the body through wounds and characterized by respiratory paralysis and tonic spasms and rigidity of the voluntary muscles, especially those of the neck and lower jaw. Compare lockjaw.
2. Also called tetanus bacillus. Bacteriology. the bacterium, Clostridium tetani, causing this disease.
3. Physiology. a state of sustained contraction of a muscle during which the muscle does not relax to its initial length or tension, induced by a rapid succession of stimuli.

tetanus

/ ˈtɛtənəs /

noun

1. Also calledlockjaw an acute infectious disease in which sustained muscular spasm, contraction, and convulsion are caused by the release of exotoxins from the bacterium, Clostridium tetani : infection usually occurs through a contaminated wound
2. physiol any tense contraction of a muscle, esp when produced by electric shocks

tetanus

/ tĕt′n-əs /

1. An acute, often fatal infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which usually enters the body through a wound and produces a toxin that affects nerve conduction. Tetanus is characterized by painful, spasmodic contractions of voluntary muscles, especially of the jaw.

tetanus

1. An acute and infectious disease caused by the toxin produced by a kind of bacteria that enters the body through cuts or wounds; also called lockjaw. In tetanus, the muscles of the body, particularly the muscles of the jaw, contract in painful spasms. Tetanus is deadly but can be prevented through immunization (tetanus shots).

Derived Forms

• ˈtetanal, adjective
• ˈtetaˌnoid, adjective

Other Words From

• teta·nal adjective
• teta·noid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetanus¹

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek tétanos spasm (of muscles), tetanus; replacing Middle English tetane < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetanus¹

C16: via Latin from Greek tetanos, from tetanos taut, from teinein to stretch

Example Sentences

As was typically the case, Trump offered no further specifics, but all 50 states mandate not only MMR vaccinations, but shots against polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and chicken pox for all schoolchildren.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s one thing for a patient to refuse a tetanus shot after they step on a rusty nail, Offit observed; tetanus is not a contagious disease.

From Los Angeles Times

She received a tetanus shot at a hospital several hours after the attack.

From Los Angeles Times

She was given a tetanus shot and prescribed antibiotics, the records show.

From Los Angeles Times

Venafro, who said he had a compromised immune system, sought treatment at a local urgent care center, where he was prescribed antibiotics and vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

From Seattle Times