opisthotonos

English

Alternative forms

• opisthotonus

Etymology

From Latin opisthotonus, and its source, Ancient Greek ὀπισθότονος (opisthótonos), corresponding to opistho- +‎ tonus (“muscle tension”).

Noun

opisthotonos (uncountable)

1. (medicine) Sustained tetanic spasm in which the body is bent backwards and stiffened, as produced by various diseases. [from 16th c.]
   • 1786 August 16, Hester Thrale Piozzi, Thraliana:

     [T]he Actors struggled & bounced, and sprunted as if in Convulsions; like Patients under the Influence of a Disease called in Jamaica the Opisthotonos or dry Gripes […] .

Coordinate terms

• emprosthotonus, emprosthotonos
• orthotonos, orthotonus
• pleurothotonus, pleurothotonos, pleurosthotonus, pleurosthotonos