trismus Hear it!

trismus Definition

tris·mus (triz′məs, tris′-)

noun

continuous contraction of the muscles of the jaw, specif. as a symptom of tetanus, or lockjaw

Etymology: ModL < Gr trismos, gnashing of the teeth, a grinding, akin to trizein, to chirp, gnash < IE echoic base *(s)trei- > strident

trismus Related Forms
tris′·mic adjective