a. [ Cf. L. tetanicus suffering from tetanus, Gr. &unr_;, F. tétanique. ] 1. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to tetanus; having the character of tetanus; as, a tetanic state; tetanic contraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

This condition of muscle, this fusion of a number of simple spasms into an apparently smooth, continuous effort, is known as tetanus, or tetanic contraction. Foster. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol. & Med.) Producing, or tending to produce, tetanus, or tonic contraction of the muscles; as, a tetanic remedy. See Tetanic, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Physiol. & Med.) A substance (notably nux vomica, strychnine, and brucine) which, either as a remedy or a poison, acts primarily on the spinal cord, and which, when taken in comparatively large quantity, produces tetanic spasms or convulsions. [ 1913 Webster ]