English
tonic
Pronunciation
  • (British) IPA: /ˈtɒnɪk/
Adjective

tonic

  1. (physics, pathology) Pertaining to tension, especially of muscles.
    • 2009, Thomas Pynchon, Inherent Vice, Vintage 2010, p. 316:
      Out in front and across the street, Doc noted half a dozen or so young men, not loitering or doing substances but poised and tonic, as if waiting for some standing order to take effect.
  2. Restorative, curative or invigorating.
    The arrival of the new members had a tonic effect on the team.
Translations Translations Noun

tonic (plural tonics)

  1. A substance with medicinal properties intended to restore or invigorate.
    We used to brew a tonic from a particular kind of root.
  2. Tonic water.
  3. (US, Massachusetts) Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop.
  4. (figuratively) Someone or something that revitalises or reinvigorates.
    • 2011, Cathy Kelly, She's the One
      'You're a tonic, Dee,' she said. 'And a real friend. Thanks.'
Translations Translations Adjective

tonic (not comparable)

  1. (music) Pertaining to or based upon the first note of a diatonic scale.
  2. Pertaining to the accent or stress in a word or in speech.
  3. 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

tonic (plural tonics)

  1. (music) The first note of a diatonic scale; the keynote.
  2. (music) The triad built on the tonic note.
  3. (phonetics) A tonic element or letter; a vowel or a diphthong.
Related terms Translations Translations

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