TONIC • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Tonic

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/tˈɑnɪk/ Listen

noun

Tonic n.

1.

(Phon.) A tonic element or letter; a vowel or a diphthong.

2.

(Mus.) The key tone, or first tone of any scale.

3.

(Med.) A medicine that increases the strength, and gives vigor of action to the system.

Tonic sol-fa (Mus.), the name of the most popular among letter systems of notation (at least in England), based on key relationship, and hence called "tonic." Instead of the five lines, clefs, signature, etc., of the usual notation, it employs letters and the syllables do, re, mi, etc., variously modified, with other simple signs of duration, of upper or lower octave, etc. See Sol-fa.

adjective

Tonic adj.

1.

Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (Phon.), applied to, or distingshing, a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, such sounds, namely, the vowels and diphthongs, being so called by Dr. James Rush (1833) " from their forming the purest and most plastic material of intonation."

2.

Of or pertaining to tension; increasing tension; hence, increasing strength; as, tonic power.

3.

(Med.) Increasing strength, or the tone of the animal system; obviating the effects of debility, and restoring healthy functions.

4.

(Med.) Characterized by continuous muscular contraction; as, tonic convulsions.

Tonic spasm. (Med.) See the Note under Spasm.

See images of 'Tonic'

Etymology of 'Tonic'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar

"Tonic" Quotes from Famous Books

... schools would have no funds available with which to buy reference books for nearly a year. Competing agents had visited every house before my arrival on the coast, and I therefore resigned my worthless position, and took the Eastern agency for a Tonic Port which had, by its wonderful efficacy, delivered many from the horrors of nervous prostration, anaemia, and kindred diseases which afflict so many of the ...

— The Gentleman from Everywhere • James Henry Foss

... answered, "cured of that and a great many other things, thanks to you. You found me the right tonic." ...

— The Tempting of Tavernake • E. Phillips Oppenheim

... to administer a tonic to the Conference in Milan," he said airily. "Its deliberations upon international action for the suppression of political crime don't seem to get anywhere. England lags. This country is absurd with its sentimental regard for individual liberty. ...

— The Secret Agent - A Simple Tale • Joseph Conrad

... outlived Donatello, such as Rossellino, Benedetto da Maiano, Mino da Fiesole and Desiderio, show relatively small traces of his influence. But Donatello's sculpture acted as a restraining influence, a tonic: it was a living protest against flippancy and carelessness, and his influence was of service even where it was of a purely negative character. Through Bertoldo Donatello's influence extended to Michael Angelo, affecting his ideas of form: But Jacopo della Quercia, who was almost ...

— Donatello • David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford

... intention, and wait till he could obtain some fresh evidence of evil intentions. The day passed without any other noticeable occurrence. The doctor called, found Helen somewhat better, and ascribed it to his medicines, especially to the effect of his tonic draught the first thing in the morning. Helen smiled. "Nay, Doctor," said she, "this morning, at least, it was forgotten. I did not find it by my bedside. Don't tell my aunt; she would be so angry." ...

— Lucretia, Complete • Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Copyright © 2026 Dictionary One.com