lockjaw
/ˈlɑkˌdʒɔ/
noun
- A condition in which the jaw muscles tighten and cannot open the mouth, often caused by tetanus infection.
- Lockjaw makes it very hard to eat or speak.
- The doctor explained that lockjaw is a serious symptom of tetanus.
- Without a tetanus shot, a deep wound could lead to lockjaw.
- A state of stubbornness or refusal to change one's opinion or position.
- His political lockjaw prevented any progress in the meeting.
- The two sides had lockjaw, so the deal fell through.
- The negotiators suffered from lockjaw and refused to compromise.