Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. imparting vitality and energy
   • the bracing mountain air
2. relating to or being the keynote of a major or minor scale
   • tonic harmony
3. used of syllables
   • a tonic syllables carries the main stress in a word
4. employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings of otherwise similar words
   • Chinese is a tonal language
5. of or relating to or producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue
   • a tonic reflex
   • tonic muscle contraction

Noun

1. a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
2. (music) the first note of a diatonic scale
3. a sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring
   • in New England they call sodas tonics
4. lime- or lemon-flavored carbonated water containing quinine