tetanic

[ tuh-tan-ik ]

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. Compare tetany.

tetanic

/ təˈtænɪk /

adjective

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

noun

1. a tetanic drug or agent

Derived Forms

• teˈtanically, adverb

Other Words From

• te·tani·cal·ly adverb
• postte·tanic adjective
• subte·tanic adjective
• subte·tani·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetanic¹

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

Example Sentences

In every case an immunizing dose of anti-tetanic serum should be given.

From Project Gutenberg

The universal practice now is to inoculate with anti-tetanic serum just as soon as possible after a wound has been received.

From Project Gutenberg

Injury of the brain causes, as in higher animals, tetanic spasms and involuntary reflex movements, followed by stupefaction.

From Project Gutenberg

Tetanic and general convulsions are produced; and the immediate cause of death is a spasm of the muscles of respiration.

From Project Gutenberg

In two cases which we witnessed of individuals poisoned by strychnine, similar tetanic phenomena were observed.

From Project Gutenberg