tetanus

American  

[tet-n-uhs] / ˈtɛt n əs /

noun

1. Pathology. an infectious, often fatal disease caused by a specific bacterium that enters the body through wounds and characterized by respiratory paralysis and tonic spasms and rigidity of the voluntary muscles, especially those of the neck and lower jaw.

2. Also called tetanus bacillus.  Bacteriology. the bacterium, Clostridium tetani, causing this disease.

3. Physiology. a state of sustained contraction of a muscle during which the muscle does not relax to its initial length or tension, induced by a rapid succession of stimuli.

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tetanus British  

/ ˈtɛtənəs /

noun

1. Also called: lockjaw.  an acute infectious disease in which sustained muscular spasm, contraction, and convulsion are caused by the release of exotoxins from the bacterium, Clostridium tetani : infection usually occurs through a contaminated wound

2. physiol any tense contraction of a muscle, esp when produced by electric shocks

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tetanus Scientific  

/ tĕt′n-əs /

1. An acute, often fatal infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which usually enters the body through a wound and produces a toxin that affects nerve conduction. Tetanus is characterized by painful, spasmodic contractions of voluntary muscles, especially of the jaw.

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tetanus Cultural  

1. An acute and infectious disease caused by the toxin produced by a kind of bacteria that enters the body through cuts or wounds; also called lockjaw. In tetanus, the muscles of the body, particularly the muscles of the jaw, contract in painful spasms. Tetanus is deadly but can be prevented through immunization (tetanus shots).

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Other Word Forms

• tetanal adjective
• tetanoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of tetanus

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek tétanos spasm (of muscles), tetanus; replacing Middle English tetane < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

If we end up having to get occasional boosters against covid-19 the way we do against tetanus, say, I don’t have a problem with that.

From Washington Post

Physicians speak to patients every year about the flu vaccine and routinely counsel patients to get vaccinated to protect against pneumonia, tetanus and shingles.

From Washington Post

Ms. Bautista, a county public health nurse, wore a T-shirt that said “Vaccinated. Thanks, Public Health” and offered vaccines against ailments like tetanus and meningitis, while broaching the subject of Covid shots gently — and last.

From New York Times

California has a number of school vaccine requirements, including polio, diphtheria, tetanus, measles and pertussis, but COVID-19 is not among them at this early stage.

From Los Angeles Times

A tetanus booster, for example, is recommended every 10 years.

From Seattle Times