Main Entry:

tris·mus

Pronunciation:

\ˈtriz-məs\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin, from Greek trismos gnashing (of teeth), from trizein to squeak, gnash; akin to Latin stridēre to creak — more at strident

Date:

circa 1693

1 : involuntary contraction of the muscles of mastication (as in tetanus or Parkinson's disease) 2 : lockjaw