tonic
Pronunciation: /ˈtɒnɪk/
The English word “tonic” has 14 meanings listed here.
adjective
- Pertaining to tension, especially of the muscles.
- Restorative; curative; or invigorating.
- In a state of continuous unremitting action.
- Pertaining to or based upon the first note of a diatonic scale.
- Pertaining to the accent or stress in a word or in speech.
- Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (phonetics, dated) being or relating to a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, i.e. a vowel or diphthong.
noun
- A substance with medicinal properties intended to restore or invigorate.
- Tonic water.
- Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop.
- Someone or something that revitalises or reinvigorates.
- The first note of a diatonic scale; the keynote.
- The triad built on the tonic note.
- A tonic element or letter; a vowel or a diphthong.
verb
- To restore or invigorate.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek τονικός (tonikós), from τόνος (tónos). 17th century writers believed health to be derived from firmly stretched muscles, thus tonic; the extension of tonic medicine appeared in the late 18th century. By surface analysis, ton(e) + -ic.
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More English words
- Tongva
- Tongyong Pinyin
- tongzhi
- Tonian
- tonic accent
- tonic and gin
- tonic immobility
- tonic tensor tympani syndrome
About this dictionary
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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.