a. [ Cf. L. tetanicus suffering from tetanus, Gr. &unr_;, F. tétanique. ]
This condition of muscle, this fusion of a number of simple spasms into an apparently smooth, continuous effort, is known as tetanus, or tetanic contraction. Foster. [ 1913 Webster ]
[ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Physiol. & Med.) A substance (notably nux vomica, strychnine, and brucine) which, either as a remedy or a poison, acts primarily on the spinal cord, and which, when taken in comparatively large quantity, produces tetanic spasms or convulsions. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Physiol. Chem.) A poisonous base (ptomaine) formed in meat broth through the agency of a peculiar microbe from the wound of a person who has died of tetanus; -- so called because it produces tetanus as one of its prominent effects. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Physiol.) The production or condition of tetanus. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. (Physiol.) To throw, as a muscle, into a state of permanent contraction; to cause tetanus in. See Tetanus, n., 2. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Tetanus + -oid. ] (Med. & Physiol.) Resembling tetanus. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Physiol.) An instrument from tetanizing a muscle by irritating its nerve by successive mechanical shocks. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; stretched, &unr_; to stretch. ]
n. (Med.) A morbid condition resembling tetanus, but distinguished from it by being less severe and having intermittent spasms. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.) A gobioid fish (Eleotris gyrinus) of the Southern United States; -- called also
a. [ Gr. &unr_; fourth + &unr_; base. ] (Crystallog.) Having one fourth the number of planes which are requisite to complete symmetry. --
n. (Crystallog.) The property of being tetartohedral. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.) See Tautog. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n.