Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Sustained tetanic spasm in which the body is bent backwards and stiffened, as produced by various diseases.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Topics: medicine, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
severe spasm in which the back arches and the head bends back and heels flex toward the back
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: spasm, cramp, muscle spasm
History
From Latin opisthotonus, and its source, Ancient Greek ὀπισθότονος (opisthótonos), corresponding to opistho- + tonus (“muscle tension”).
