noun
tetanus
TEHT-uhn-uhs
Tetanus (noun) means a serious bacterial infection, often from a dirty wound, that causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms. Example: “He got a tetanus shot after stepping on a rusty nail.”
noun
1
A serious bacterial infection, often from a dirty wound, that causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms.
"He got a tetanus shot after stepping on a rusty nail."
2
A state of sustained, involuntary muscle contraction.
"The nerve signal caused tetanus in the muscle fibres."
How to use tetanus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous infection that makes muscles lock up, famously linked to rusty metal wounds.
Common pairings
tetanus shot
tetanus vaccine
tetanus infection
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Word forms
- Plural
- tetani, tetanuses
Fill the gap
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He got a _____ shot after stepping on a rusty nail.
Etymology
From Latin tetanus, from Ancient Greek tetanos, related to teino, "to stretch" — describing how the disease pulls muscles into a rigid, locked state.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tetanus
See all rhymes for tetanus →Frequently asked questions
What does “tetanus” mean?
The word “tetanus” means a serious bacterial infection, often from a dirty wound, that causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms. In plain terms, a dangerous infection that makes muscles lock up, famously linked to rusty metal wounds.
How do you pronounce “tetanus”?
“Tetanus” is pronounced TEHT-uhn-uhs (/ˈtɛt.ən.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “tetanus” in a sentence?
Here is “tetanus” used in a sentence: “He got a tetanus shot after stepping on a rusty nail.”
What part of speech is “tetanus”?
“Tetanus” is a noun.
Where does the word “tetanus” come from?
The word “tetanus” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin tetanus, from Ancient Greek tetanos, related to teino, "to stretch" — describing how the disease pulls muscles into a rigid, locked state.
How many meanings does “tetanus” have?
“Tetanus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a serious bacterial infection, often from a dirty wound, that causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms.
