tetanic

[ tuh-tan-ik ]

/ təˈtæn ɪk /

adjective

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

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

Nearby words

Sometimes te·tan·i·cal.

Origin of tetanic

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

Related formste·tan·i·cal·ly, adverbpost·te·tan·ic, adjectivesub·te·tan·ic, adjectivesub·te·tan·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tetanic

The tetanic stage is followed by paralysis of reflex movements and cessation of breathing, the heart continuing to beat.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection|Alexander Wynter Blyth
In cases where there is marked fatigue, as for instance in certain muscles, the top of the tetanic curve undergoes rapid decline.
Response in the Living and Non-Living|Jagadis Chunder Bose
With three times the dose, the tetanic convulsions commence early, and death takes place in from two to six hours.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection|Alexander Wynter Blyth
I fancy, however, that their strength was rather of the tetanic than the titanic sort.
Literature and Life|William Dean Howells

Another sequela of cholera is a tetanic contraction of the flexor muscles of the limbs.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for tetanic

tetanic

/ (təˈtænɪk) /

adjective

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

noun

a tetanic drug or agent

Derived Formstetanically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for tetanic

tetanic

[ tĕ-tăn′ĭk ]

adj.

Of or causing tetanus or tetany.

Marked by sustained muscular contractions.

n.

An agent that in poisonous doses produces tonic muscular spasm.