Definition of Lockjaw

1. Noun. 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.

Exact synonyms: Tetanus
Generic synonyms: Infection

Definition of Lockjaw

1. n. A contraction of the muscles of the jaw by which its motion is suspended; a variety of tetanus.

Definition of Lockjaw

1. Noun. (pathology) A spasmodic, nervous system disease brought on by the tetanus bacteria. It causes muscles to seize up and may cause death by suffocation. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Lockjaw

1. a form of tetanus [n -S]

Medical Definition of Lockjaw

1. An infection caused by the micro-organism Clostridium tetani. Symptoms include muscular rigidity, contractions and pain with stiffness in the jaw muscles. (27 Sep 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Lockjaw

lockerroom
lockerrooms
lockers
locket
lockets
lockfast
lockful
lockfuls
lockin
locking
locking out
locking pliers
locking up
lockings
lockins
lockjaw (current term)
lockjawed
lockjaws
lockkeeper
lockkeepers
lockless
locklike
lockmaker
lockmakers
lockman
lockmaster
lockmasters
lockmen
locknote
locknotes

Literary usage of Lockjaw

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Horrors of Vaccination Exposed and Illustrated: Petition to the President to by Charles Michael Higgins (1920)
"HOW lockjaw IS CAUSED BY VACCINATION AND HOW THIS TRUTH IS DENIED AND CONCEALED BY VACCINATORS THIS dreadful and most fatal disease known as "Tetanus" or ..."

2. The Metaphysical Magazine by Harry Houdini Collection (Library of Congress) (1905)
"lockjaw DISSEMINATED BY VACCINATION. A fatal case of lockjaw occurred at Braintree, ... So numerous have been these cases of lockjaw as the sequence of ..."

3. A Guide to homœopathic practice by Isaac D. Johnson (1885)
"TRAUMATIC lockjaw is a very dangerous malady, and is usually caused by ... IDIOPATHIC lockjaw proceeds from constitutional causes, an'l is far less ..."

4. A Text-book of practical medicine v. 2: With Particular Reference to by Felix von Niemeyer (1874)
"Like chorea, lockjaw is a derangement of the motor function. The symptoms of this disease are ascribable to a morbid excitement of the motor nerves, ..."

5. Life of Lieutenant-General Nathan Bedford Forrest by John Allan Wyeth (1908)
"... and General Dabney H. Maury Temporarily in Command—Sherman Sends Smith Back After Forrest—Report that Forrest Died of lockjaw as a Result of His Wound ..."

6. Prevention of Disease and Care of the Sick: How to Keep Well and what to Do by William Gordon Stimpson, Milton Hugh Foster (1919)
"TETANUS OR lockjaw. Description.—Tetanus is a dangerous disease due to a ... It can not grow in the presence of air, hence lockjaw is apt to develop after ..."

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