atonic

[ uh-ton-ik, ey-ton- ]

adjective

1. Phonetics.
   1. unaccented.
   2. Obsolete. voiceless.
2. Pathology. characterized by atony.

noun

1. Grammar. an unaccented word, syllable, or sound.

atonic

/ ˌeɪtəʊ-; ˌætəˈnɪsɪtɪ; æ-; eɪˈtɒnɪk /

adjective

1. (of a syllable, word, etc) carrying no stress; unaccented
2. pathol lacking body or muscle tone

noun

1. an unaccented or unstressed syllable, word, etc, such as for in food for thought

Derived Forms

• atonicity, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonic¹

1720–30; a- ⁶ + tonic; in pathology sense, aton(y) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonic¹

C18: from Latin atonicus, from Greek atonos lacking tone; see atony

Example Sentences

In Picard the atonic ending mes is extended to all tenses, giving amomes, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus he was a complete man, and deserved the disdain of dilettantes morally dead, and of mystics scientifically atonic.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the Sulphate and Sesquichloride may, by their topical action on the stomach, be of service in cases of atonic Dyspepsia.

From Project Gutenberg

Apathetics, showing atonic digestion, may have coffee either before eating or during their meals.

From Project Gutenberg

The trunk bark is astringent and in decoction is used for atonic diarrhœa and as a lotion for ulcers.

From Project Gutenberg