antitetanic
|an-ti-tet-an-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈtɛt.ən.ɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈtɛt.ə.nɪk/
against tetanus
Etymology
'antitetanic' originates from New Latin/modern medical formation, specifically from the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') + 'tetanic' (from Latin/Greek related to 'tetanus'), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'tetanus' referred to the disease/convulsive tension.
'antitetanic' was formed in English by combining the prefix 'anti-' with the adjective 'tetanic' (from Latin 'tetanicus' < Greek 'tetanos'), entering medical use in the late 19th century to describe sera and agents opposing tetanic infection.
Initially it meant 'acting against tetanic convulsions or tetanus,' and over time it has retained that specialized medical sense of 'preventing or neutralizing tetanus.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent (such as a serum or antitoxin) that counteracts or provides immunity to tetanus.
The clinic maintained a supply of antitetanics for emergency use.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
acting against, preventing, or neutralizing tetanus (used of treatments, sera, or properties that counteract tetanic infection or spasms).
Antitetanic serum was administered after the deep puncture wound to reduce the risk of tetanus.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/11 05:58