tetany
noun
tet·a·ny ˈte-tə-nē 
ˈtet-nē
: a condition of physiological calcium imbalance marked by tonic spasm of muscles and often associated with deficient parathyroid secretion
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The veterinarian was at the farm checking the cows for grass tetany. 
Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 10 June 2021
Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 10 June 2021 Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin tetanus
First Known Use
circa 1885, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
tetany
noun
tet·a·ny ˈtet-ᵊn-ē, ˈtet-nē
plural tetanies
: a condition of physiological calcium imbalance that is marked by intermittent tonic spasm of the voluntary muscles and is associated with deficiencies of parathyroid secretion or other disturbances (as vitamin D deficiency)