Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An early sign of tetanus, in which there is difficulty opening the jaw because of a tonic spasm of the muscles of mastication.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In pathology, tetanus; trismus. See tetanus.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Med.) A contraction of the muscles of the jaw by which its motion is suspended; a variety of tetanus; trismus.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun pathology A spasmodic, nervous system disease brought on by the tetanus bacteria. It causes muscles to seize up and may cause death by suffocation.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Gangrene, as a consequence of contusions or of hemorrhage or of an impediment to the circulation, caused by unskillfully applied apparatus, must not be overlooked among the occasional incidents; nor must lockjaw, which is not an uncommon occurrence.

    Special Report on Diseases of the Horse Charles B. Michener 1877

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tetanus, also known as lockjaw disease, can cause painful tightening of muscles in the body, and can lead to death in one out of 10 cases.

    The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register 2010

  • They are: diphtheria, a respiratory infection; tetanus, which is also known as lockjaw; and pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough.

    Beatrice Daily Sun News Articles 2009

  • Tetanus: Also known as lockjaw; causes painful muscle spasms, breathing failure, death

    Thestar.com - Home Page 2009

  • She had a kind of lockjaw of grief such as children suffer and suffer for.

    We Can't Have Everything Rupert Hughes 1914

  • Tetanus, also known as "lockjaw;" Diphtheria, an upper respiratory disease; and Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough."

    News for Opelika-Auburn News 2010

  • Sadly, the goldeye were apparently exhibiting the kind of lockjaw that often comes with scudding clouds and falling barometers.

    Edmonton Sun 2010

  • = of tetanus; illness also known as "lockjaw"; caused by bacteria

    behind AotW Brian 2010

  • = of tetanus; illness also known as "lockjaw"; caused by bacteria

    behind AotW Brian 2010

  • The most eminent physician of the thirteenth century, Gilbertus Anglicus (Gilbert of England, 1170–1230), wrote that when treating a wounded nerve, it should first be cut across to relieve pain and prevent lockjaw (tetanus) and that a mixture of earthworms and oil beaten together should be applied.

    Modern Science in the Bible Ben Hobrink 2011

Comments

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  • One of the few words in English containing the letter sequence 'kj'.

    November 12, 2007

  • Mild lockjaw is no great hardship.

    November 12, 2007