tetanus

noun ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about tetanus at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

1. 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.
2. A sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses.