Path. [mod.L., ad. Gr. τρισμός = τριγμός a scream, also a grinding, rasping.] Tetanus or tonic spasm of the muscles of the neck and lower jaw, causing the jaw to close rigidly; lock-jaw. (Rarely extended to tetanus in general.)
1693. trans. Blancard’s Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Trismus, the grinding of the Teeth, or a Convulsion of a Muscle of the Temples, whereby the Teeth gnash whether one will or no.
1704. in J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I.
1806. Med. Jrnl., XV. 44. This man had a slight cut in the palm of one of his hands … which was healed several days prior to his seizure with trismus.
1897. Trans. Amer. Pediatric Soc., IX. 77. There is trismus of the hands and feet.
