tonic

¹ton·ic

adj \ˈtä-nik\

Definition of TONIC

1

a : characterized by tonus <tonic contraction of muscle>; also : marked by prolonged muscular contraction <tonic convulsions> b : producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (as muscles)

2

a : increasing or restoring physical or mental tone : refreshing b : yielding a tonic substance

3

: relating to or based on the first tone of a scale <tonic harmony>

4

of a syllable : bearing a principal stress or accent

5

: of or relating to speech tones or to languages using them to distinguish words otherwise identical

— ton·i·cal·ly \ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of TONIC

1. <breathe in clear tonic mountain air>
2. <never underestimate the tonic power of humor on a sick person>

Origin of TONIC

Greek tonikos, from tonos tension, tone

First Known Use: 1649

Related to TONIC

Synonyms: bracing, cordial, invigorating, refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, reviving, stimulating, stimulative, vital, vitalizing

Antonyms: insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome

Related Words: life-giving; conditioning, strengthening; animating, exhilarating, exhilarative, quickening, sharp; corrective, curative, curing, medicinal, rectifying, recuperative, reformative, reformatory, rehabilitative, remedial, remedying, reparative, therapeutic; beneficial, healthful, healthy, helpful, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

Near Antonyms: deadening, debilitating, draining, enervating, enfeebling, exhausting, numbing, sapping, weakening, wearying; deleterious, injurious, pernicious; insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

Rhymes with TONIC

chronic, chthonic, conic, dornick, sonic