tetanic

American  

[tuh-tan-ik] / təˈtæn ɪk /

Sometimes tetanical

adjective

1. Pathology. pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by tetanus.

2. Medicine/Medical. noting a medicine or poison that can cause tetanic spasms of the muscles.

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tetanic British  

/ təˈtænɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or producing tetanus or the spasms of tetanus

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noun

1. a tetanic drug or agent

Other Word Forms

• posttetanic adjective
• subtetanic adjective
• subtetanical adjective
• tetanically adverb

Etymology

Origin of tetanic

1720–30; < Latin tetanicus < Greek tetanikós, equivalent to tétan ( os ) spasm, tetanus + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Another sequela of cholera is a tetanic contraction of the flexor muscles of the limbs.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no tetanic phase, being, as I apprehend, a condition almost reverse in objective symptoms to hydrocyanic acid or strychnia.

From Project Gutenberg

Trismus, tris′mus, n. tetanic spasm of the muscles of mastication, lockjaw.

From Project Gutenberg

The motor reaction then manifests itself in laughing, crying, or deglutitory spasms, and, if the irritation be of the severest kind, epileptic or tetanic spasms in addition.

From Project Gutenberg

Also in the more severe forms of nerve injury tetanic contractions may be set up in the paralysed muscles, by closure of the current either at the anode or kathode.

From Project Gutenberg