tetany

noun

tet·​a·​ny ˈte-tə-nē How to pronounce tetany (audio)
ˈtet-nē
: a condition of physiological calcium imbalance marked by tonic spasm of muscles and often associated with deficient parathyroid secretion

Examples of tetany in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The horror and anguish of this bacteria is made plain in a painting from the early 1800s by the surgeon and artist Sir Charles Bell, in which the artist depicts a soldier locked tight in the throes of agonizing tetany. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 29 Sep. 2015 The veterinarian was at the farm checking the cows for grass tetany. Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 10 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tetany.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin tetanus

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetany was circa 1885

Dictionary Entries Near tetany

Cite this Entry

“Tetany.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetany. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

tetany

noun
tet·​a·​ny ˈtet-ᵊn-ē, ˈtet-nē How to pronounce tetany (audio)
plural tetanies
: a condition of physiological calcium imbalance that is marked by intermittent tonic spasm of the voluntary muscles and is associated with deficiencies of parathyroid secretion or other disturbances (as vitamin D deficiency)

More from Merriam-Webster on tetany

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