tetany

noun

tet·a·ny ˈte-tə-nē

ˈtet-nē

: a condition of physiological calcium imbalance marked by tonic spasm of muscles and often associated with deficient parathyroid secretion

Example Sentences

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 example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tetany.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tetany.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetany. Accessed 31 Jan. 2023.

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Medical Definition

tetany

noun

tet·a·ny ˈtet-ᵊn-ē, ˈtet-nē

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)