tetanus

English

/ˈtɛt.ən.əs/, /ˈtɛt.ən.əs/

noun

Definitions

(pathology) A serious and often fatal disease caused by the infection of an open wound with the anaerobic bacterium , found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals.
(physiology) A state of muscle tension caused by sustained contraction arising from a rapid series of nerve impulses which do not allow the muscle to relax.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin tetanus derived from Ancient Greek τέτανος.

Origin

Ancient Greek

τέτανος

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

antitetanus English
pseudotetanus English
tetanin English
tetanoid English
tetanus Latin
tetano Italian
tétanos French
τέτανος Ancient Greek
τανύω Ancient Greek
τείνω Ancient Greek
tetano Esperanto