te·tan·ic \teˈtanik\adjective Etymology: New Latin tetanicus, from Greek tetanikos suffering from tetanus, from tetanos tetanus + -ikos -ic 1.: of or relating to tetanus or tetany < a tetanic condition > : constituting tetanus or tetany < tetanic contraction > 2.: producing or tending to produce tetanus or tetany < tetanic toxin > • te·tan·i·cal·ly\-nə̇k(ə)lē\adverb