tonic
tonic definition
tonic (tän′ik)
adjective
- of, producing, or tending to produce good muscular tone, or tension
- mentally or morally invigorating; stimulating
- having to do with tones; specif.,
- Music designating or based on the first tone (keynote) of a diatonic scale a tonic chord
- Painting having to do with the tone or tones of a picture
- Phonet., Now Rare designating or of sounds characterized by resonance in the head cavities; also, accented
- Med., Physiol. of or characterized by tone, or tonus
Etymology: Gr tonikos < tonos: see tone
noun
- anything that invigorates or stimulates; specif.,
- a drug, medicine, or other agent for restoring or increasing body tone
- a hair or scalp dressing
- a carbonated beverage flavored with a little quinine and served in a mixed drink with gin, vodka, etc.; quinine water
- Chiefly Northeast soda pop
- Music the first, or basic, tone of a diatonic scale; keynote
- Phonet., Now Rare a tonic sound or syllable
Related Forms:
- tonically ton′i·cally adverb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comments
Improve this definition.
Share on Facebook