lockjaw

American  

[lok-jaw] / ˈlɒkˌdʒɔ /

noun

Pathology.

1. tetanus in which the jaws become firmly locked together; trismus.

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lockjaw British  

/ ˈlɒkˌdʒɔː /

noun

1. pathol a nontechnical name for trismus tetanus

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Etymology

Origin of lockjaw

First recorded in 1795–1805; lock ¹ + jaw ¹

Explanation

The serious disease called Tetanus is often referred to as lockjaw. In most parts of the world, people are regularly vaccinated against lockjaw. Tetanus has long been popularly called lockjaw because one of the disease's earliest effects is muscle spasms in the jaw that can "lock" it closed. Lockjaw is the result of an open wound being infected with a particular strain of bacteria, and it's found in medical history as far back as the fifth century BCE. Without proper immunization or treatment, lockjaw can be deadly.

Example Sentences

He was arrested in the early hours of 9 April in a car park near Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where he had gone to be treated for "lockjaw".

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Stewart knew that taking on “Spencer” would be a challenge, and in the days leading up to the shoot, she even developed lockjaw as she ceaselessly practiced her British accent.

From New York Times • Nov. 5, 2021

In frame after frame Belichick comes across as something more than a sideline-prowling warlock with a severe case of lockjaw.

From The Guardian • Dec. 13, 2019

All this despite medical science’s proven successes in wiping out not only the much-feared smallpox and polio, but nearly eliminating other serious illnesses like diphtheria, German measles, lockjaw and mumps in the United States.

From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2015

He began making wisecracks in a lockjaw accent about how I was going to become one of those fur-wearing, pinkie-extending, nose-in-the-air New Yorkers.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls