LOCKJAW

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lockjaw mean? 

• LOCKJAW (noun)
  The noun LOCKJAW has 1 sense:

1. an acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages

  Familiarity information: LOCKJAW used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LOCKJAW (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An acute and serious infection of the central nervous system caused by bacterial infection of open wounds; spasms of the jaw and laryngeal muscles may occur during the late stages

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

lockjaw; tetanus

Hypernyms ("lockjaw" is a kind of...):

infection (the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms)