What does "tetanus" mean?
A serious and often fatal disease caused by the infection of an open wound with the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani, found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals.
Tetanus
/ˈtɛt.ən.əs/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A serious and often fatal disease caused by the infection of an open wound with the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani, found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals.
- Grammar: tetanus is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abdominal epilepsy, access, acquired epilepsy, activated epilepsy.
- Useful contrasts: health, muscle relaxation, relaxation.
- Usage evidence: Botulism, brucellosis, Lyme-disease and tetanus are infectious, but not contagious diseases.
How to use "tetanus"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "tetanus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "tetanus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "tetanus" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "tetanus" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abdominal epilepsy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A serious and often fatal disease caused by the infection of an open wound with the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani, found in soil and the intestines and faeces of animals. uncountable, usually
"Compared to 290 children with TQQ negative, CWDs were significantly less likely to receive antenatal care (P=0.003), to get a maternal tetanus shot during antenatal care (P=0.004) and to receive full vaccination (P=0.01)."
- 2 a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses wordnet
- 3 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. countable, usually
"We first saturated LTP in one pathway by applying repetitive tetani that had no effect on the control pathway […]"
- 4 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 wordnet
Synonyms
All synonyms abdominal epilepsyaccessacquired epilepsyactivated epilepsyacute articular rheumatismaffect epilepsy
Antonyms
Example
"Botulism, brucellosis, Lyme-disease and tetanus are infectious, but not contagious diseases."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "tetanus"?
Common synonyms include: abdominal epilepsy, access, acquired epilepsy, activated epilepsy, acute articular rheumatism, affect epilepsy.
How do you use "tetanus" in a sentence?
Botulism, brucellosis, Lyme-disease and tetanus are infectious, but not contagious diseases.
How do you pronounce "tetanus"?
Pronounced /ˈtɛt.ən.əs/.
Etymology
From Latin tetanus, from Ancient Greek τέτανος (tétanos), from τείνω (teínō, “I stretch”).