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tet·a·nus
 tetanus
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- pronunciation:
- te
t
ns
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a disease that affects the muscles of the neck and lower jaw and can cause death. Tetanus is caused by germs that enter the body through a wound. Another name for this disease is lockjaw.
Almost all children in the United States receive a vaccine that protects them from tetanus. |
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| derivation: |
tetanoid (adj.) |
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