tonic
/'tɔnik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Imparting vitality and energy; invigorating: Something that is "tonic" makes you feel healthier, stronger, or more energetic.
- Relating to or being the keynote of a major or minor scale: In music, "tonic" refers to the first and central note of a scale, which provides a sense of rest or resolution.
- Used of syllables: A "tonic" syllable is the one that carries the main stress or emphasis in a word.
- Employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings: This describes languages (like Chinese) where pitch changes can alter a word's meaning; such languages are called "tonic" or tonal.
- Of or relating to normal muscle tone or tension: In physiology, "tonic" refers to the continuous, low-level activity or contraction in muscles or nerves that maintains posture or readiness.
Noun:
- A medicine that strengthens and invigorates: A "tonic" is a substance, often a liquid medicine, taken to make you feel healthier and more energetic.
- (Music) The first note of a diatonic scale: The "tonic" is the foundational note (the "do" in "do-re-mi") upon which a musical key is built.
- A sweet, flavored carbonated beverage: In some regions, especially historically, "tonic" refers to a carbonated soft drink. Specifically, it can mean a carbonated water flavored with quinine (tonic water).
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The cold shower had a tonic effect on him. (It made him feel refreshed and energetic.)
- In the key of C major, the note C is the tonic note.
- The word "record" has a tonic syllable on the first part when it's a noun.
- The doctor checked the patient's tonic muscle reflexes.
Noun:
- She took an herbal tonic every morning for her health.
- The piece always resolves back to the tonic.
- He ordered a gin and tonic at the bar. (Here, "tonic" refers to tonic water.)
Advanced Usage
"Tonic accent": In linguistics, this refers to the stress accent on a syllable in a word.
- The tonic accent in the English word "photograph" falls on the first syllable.
"Tonic-clonic seizure": A medical term for a type of generalized seizure involving stiffening (tonic phase) and jerking (clonic phase) of muscles.
- The patient was diagnosed with tonic-clonic epilepsy.
Variants and Related Words
Tonicity (n): The state of normal tension or responsiveness in muscles or tissues.
- The doctor assessed the muscle's tonicity.
Tonic water (n): A carbonated soft drink containing quinine, originally used as a prophylactic against malaria and now commonly mixed with spirits.
- She prefers her vodka with tonic water and a slice of lime.
Synonyms
- Adjective (invigorating): Bracing, refreshing, stimulating, restorative.
- Noun (medicine): Elixir, restorative, stimulant, pick-me-up.
- Noun (music): Keynote.
Related Phrases and Compounds
Hair tonic: A liquid applied to the hair and scalp to promote growth or improve condition.
- He uses a special hair tonic.
Skin tonic: A liquid used on the skin, often after cleansing, to tighten pores and refresh.
- Apply the skin tonic with a cotton pad.
Idioms
- "A tonic for the spirits": Something that makes you feel much happier or more cheerful.
- Hearing the good news was a real tonic for the spirits.
Adjective
- imparting vitality and energy
- the bracing mountain air
- relating to or being the keynote of a major or minor scale
- tonic harmony
- used of syllables
- a tonic syllables carries the main stress in a word
- employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings of otherwise similar words
- Chinese is a tonal language
- of or relating to or producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue
- a tonic reflex
- tonic muscle contraction
Noun
- a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
- (music) the first note of a diatonic scale
- a sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring
- in New England they call sodas tonics
- lime- or lemon-flavored carbonated water containing quinine