Meaning of tetanus in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈtɛtnəs/

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  1. Noun

    tetanus

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin, from Greek tetanos‘muscular spasm’, from teinein‘to stretch’

    Definitions

    1. an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds

    Examples

    • « spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages »
  2. 2. a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses

Famous quotes

  • « As a child, I was more afraid of tetanus shots than, for example, Dracula. »
    Dave Barry

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