VocabDictionary

tétano

/ˈtɛ.tɐ.nu/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

An acute, often fatal infectious disease characterized by generalized increased reflex irritability and spasmodic contractions of skeletal muscles, caused by the toxin of the bacterium Clostridium tetani.

Example Sentences:
  • Ele tomou uma injeção antitetânica após pisar em um prego enferrujado para evitar o tétano.
  • O tétano é uma doença grave que afeta o sistema nervoso central.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “tétano”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek word 'tetanos' (stretched, rigid, in reference to spasms), from 'teinein' (to stretch). It entered Portuguese through Modern Latin 'tetanus' as a medical term for the infectious disease characterized by muscle stiffness.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Tétano sounds like 'tetanus' in English, making it very easy to remember for medical terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About “tétano

1. What is the meaning of “tétano” in English?

In English, tétano (noun) is defined as: “An acute, often fatal infectious disease characterized by generalized increased reflex irritability and spasmodic contractions of skeletal muscles, caused by the toxin of the bacterium Clostridium tetani.”.

2. How do you use “tétano” in a sentence?

Ele tomou uma injeção antitetânica após pisar em um prego enferrujado para evitar o tétano.

3. What are English synonyms of “tétano”?

Common synonyms include:lockjaw,mal de sete dias

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “tétano”?

Derived from the ancient Greek word 'tetanos' (stretched, rigid, in reference to spasms), from 'teinein' (to stretch). It entered Portuguese through Modern Latin 'tetanus' as a medical term for the infectious disease characterized by muscle stiffness.