Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun tetanus

2 senses of tetanus

Sense 1
tetanus, lockjaw -- (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)
       => infection -- (the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms)

Sense 2
tetanus -- (a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses)
       => contraction, muscular contraction, muscle contraction -- ((physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber))