lockjaw

[ lok-jaw ]

/ ˈlɒkˌdʒɔ /

tetanus in which the jaws become firmly locked together; trismus.

Origin of lockjaw

First recorded in 1795–1805; lock¹ + jaw¹

I did have congestive chill, ticdouloureux, meningitis, lock-jaw and curvature of the spine.

The Gay Gnani of Gingalee |Florence Huntley
He was wounded slightly with a piece of shell, and about ten days afterwards died with the lock-jaw.

Life of Tecumseh, and of His Brother the Prophet |Benjamin Drake
This instrument was used by surgeons to wrench open the mouth in case of lock-jaw.

An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans |Lydia Maria Child
The arrows were not bone-headed, and not poisoned, but I well knew that lock-jaw was to be dreaded.

Life of John Coleridge Patteson |Charlotte M. Yonge

I am afraid that lock-jaw will set in if he does not consent to have the felon lanced.

The Discovery of Yellowstone Park |Nathaniel Pitt Langford

lockjaw

/ (ˈlɒkˌdʒɔː) /

pathol a nontechnical name for trismus, tetanus

lockjaw

[ lŏk′jô′ ]

tetanus

trismus