of or pertaining to tetanus; having the character of tetanus; as, a tetanic state; tetanic contraction.-producing, or tending to produce, tetanus, or tonic contraction of the muscles; as, a tetanic remedy. see tetanic, n.-a substance (notably nux vomica, strychnine, and brucine) which, either as a remedy or a poison, acts primarily on the spinal cord, and which, when taken in comparatively large quantity, produces tetanic spasms or convulsions.