lockjaw

[ lok-jaw ]

noun

, Pathology.

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

lockjaw

/ ˈlɒkˌdʒɔː /

noun

1. pathol a nontechnical name for trismus tetanus

Word History and Origins

Origin of lockjaw¹

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

Example Sentences

Every sharp point was covered with rust and threatened lockjaw.

From Project Gutenberg

Loeffler did the same thing, in the same year for diphtheria, and Nicolaier for lockjaw; while Kuno produced antipyrene.

From Project Gutenberg

Uncle Dan'l was a favorite, too-kind-hearted and dependable, while his occasional lockjaw gave him an unusual distinction.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Hardy stuck a nail in his foot the 6th of July of the next year, and died of the lockjaw on the 15th.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the patient complained of a chill, and it was soon discovered that lockjaw had set in.

From Project Gutenberg