tonic
a medicine that invigorates or strengthens: a tonic of sulphur and molasses.
anything invigorating physically, mentally, or morally: His cheerful greeting was a real tonic.
Music. the first degree of the scale; the keynote.
Chiefly Eastern New England. soda pop.
Phonetics. a tonic syllable or accent.
pertaining to, maintaining, increasing, or restoring the tone or health of the body or an organ, as a medicine.
invigorating physically, mentally, or morally.
Physiology, Pathology.
pertaining to tension, as of the muscles.
marked by continued muscular tension: a tonic spasm.
using differences in tone or pitch to distinguish between words that are otherwise phonemically identical: a tonic language.
pertaining to tone or accent in speech.
Phonetics. (of a syllable) bearing the principal stress or accent, usually accompanied by a change in pitch.
Music.
pertaining to or founded on the keynote, or first tone, of a musical scale: a tonic chord.
Origin of tonic
1regional variation note For tonic
Other words for tonic
Other words from tonic
- ton·i·cal·ly, adverb
- an·ti·ton·ic, adjective, noun
- non·ton·ic, adjective
- pre·ton·ic, noun, adjective
Other definitions for -tonic (2 of 2)
a combining form occurring in adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -tonia:catatonic.
Origin of -tonic
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tonic in a sentence
Webb comes across with a clarity of expression that is rare for a politician and that the voters might find a welcome tonic.
Wait a Minute, Clinton Coronators—Here Comes Jim Webb | Eleanor Clift | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe result is a jade green soup that is smooth and gently tonic.
A California Tavern With an Artichoke Obsession | Jane & Michael Stern | June 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor Feiffer, the cold isolation of the upstate New York retreat worked like a tonic.
Ultimately, the recommended tonic is based on your mind-body type according to ancient tradition.
Unfortunately, the four-time NBA All-Star was tragically known for his unofficial nickname: Vin and tonic.
Monsieur Ratignolle was delighted to see her, though he found her looking not so well as at Grand Isle, and he advised a tonic.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinAnd the familiar scenery, together with the wholesome exercise of sculling, acted as a tonic to his nerves.
Uncanny Tales | VariousFirst of all is the forceful utterance of the stressed syllable; the Provençal has post-tonic syllables, unlike the sister-speech.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred DownerHe shrewdly suspected that the infinite peace of the landscape would prove the best tonic for her overwrought mind.
Mystery Ranch | Arthur Chapman“A useful phrase at times, of the nature of a tonic, amidst our enervating civilisation,” she reflected.
The Daughters of Danaus | Mona Caird
British Dictionary definitions for tonic
/ (ˈtɒnɪk) /
a medicinal preparation intended to improve and strengthen the functioning of the body or increase the feeling of wellbeing
anything that enlivens or strengthens: his speech was a tonic to the audience
Also called: tonic water a mineral water, usually carbonated and containing quinine and often mixed with gin or other alcoholic drinks
music
the first degree of a major or minor scale and the tonal centre of a piece composed in a particular key
a key or chord based on this
a stressed syllable in a word
serving to enliven and invigorate: a tonic wine
of or relating to a tone or tones
music of or relating to the first degree of a major or minor scale
of or denoting the general effect of colour and light and shade in a picture
physiol of, relating to, characterized by, or affecting normal muscular or bodily tone: a tonic spasm
of or relating to stress or the main stress in a word
denoting a tone language
Origin of tonic
1Derived forms of tonic
- tonically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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