a. (sb.) [ad. L. tetanic-us, a. Gr. τετανικός.] Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of tetanus; characterized by tetanus.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Tetanick, having a Crick in the Neck or Cramp in it, that holdeth it so stiff that it cannot bow.
1805. Med. Jrnl., XIV. 304. In the warm climates, where tetanic affections very often follow the great operations.
1822–34. Good’s Study Med. (ed. 4), III. 495. Clonic agitation instead of a tetanic spasm.
1869. E. A. Parkes, Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3), 102. Convulsive and tetanic symptoms.
b. as sb. (See quot.)
1857. Dunglison, Dict. Med. Sc., Tetanic,… a remedy, which acts on the nerves, and, through them, on the muscles, occasioning, in large doses, convulsions.
So † Tetanical a., tetanic. Obs. rare–0. Hence Tetanically [see -ICALLY] adv., by, or as by tetanus; spasmodically.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Tetanical,… that hath the crick in the neck [etc.].
1877. Rosenthal, Muscles & Nerves, 36. The muscle … contracts tetanically.
