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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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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