tetanus

noun tet·a·nus \ˈte-tə-nəs, ˈtet-nəs\

medical : a dangerous disease that is caused by bacteria that usually enter the body through a cut or wound

Full Definition of TETANUS

a : an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin of a bacterium (Clostridium tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound — compare lockjaw

b : the bacterium that causes tetanus

: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from rapidly repeated motor impulses

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Origin of TETANUS

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek tetanos, from tetanos stretched, rigid; akin to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Microbiology Terms

pathogen, salmonella

TETANUS Defined for Kids

tetanus

noun tet·a·nus \ˈte-tə-nəs, ˈtet-nəs\

Definition of TETANUS for Kids

: a serious disease that is marked by spasms of the muscles especially of the jaws and that is caused by poison from a bacterium that usually enters the body through a wound

Medical Dictionary

tetanus

noun tet·a·nus \ˈtet-^ən-əs, ˈtet-nəs\

Medical Definition of TETANUS

a : an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles and especially of the muscles of the jaw and caused by the specific toxin produced by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound—compare lockjaw b : tetanus bacillus

: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from a series of motor impulses following one another too rapidly to permit intervening relaxation of the muscle