Definition of "tetanus" []

• An acute, often fatal disease characterized by spasmodic contraction of voluntary muscles, especially those of the neck and jaw, and caused by the toxin of the bacillus Clostridium tetani, which typically infects the body through a deep wound. Also called lockjaw. (noun)
• Physiology A state of continuous muscular contraction, especially when induced artificially by rapidly repeated stimuli. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "In developed countries tetanus is typically thought of as infecting wounds in adults who have injured themselves; however, in the developing world many infants suffer from neonatal tetanus."
• "The bacteria that causes tetanus is called Clostridium tetani."
• "But scientists say tetanus is caused by dirt and germs, not rust."