tonic

== English == === Alternative forms === tonick (obsolete) === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈtɒnɪk/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈtɑ.nɪk/ Rhymes: -ɒnɪk Hyphenation: ton‧ic === Etymology 1 === From Ancient Greek τονικός (tonikós), from τόνος (tónos). 17th century writers believed health to be derived from firmly stretched muscles, thus tonic; the extension of tonic medicine appeared in the late 18th century. By surface analysis, ton(e) +‎ -ic. ==== Adjective ==== tonic (comparative more tonic, superlative most tonic) (physics, pathology) Pertaining to tension, especially of the muscles. Restorative; curative; or invigorating. (medicine, neuroscience) In a state of continuous unremitting action. Peter Redgrave (2007) Basal ganglia. Scholarpedia, 2(6):1825. GABAergic neurones in the basal ganglia output nuclei have high tonic firing rates (40-80 Hz). ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== tonic (usually uncountable, plural tonics) A substance with medicinal properties intended to restore or invigorate. Tonic water. (US, Eastern Massachusetts, dated) Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop. (figuratively) Someone or something that revitalises or reinvigorates. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== tonic (third-person singular simple present tonics, present participle tonicking, simple past and past participle tonicked) (medicine, archaic) To restore or invigorate. === Etymology 2 === From tone +‎ -ic. ==== Adjective ==== tonic (not comparable) (music) Pertaining to or based upon the first note of a diatonic scale. Pertaining to the accent or stress in a word or in speech. Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (phonetics, dated) being or relating to a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, i.e. a vowel or diphthong. ===== Derived terms ===== ==== Noun ==== tonic (plural tonics) (music) The first note of a diatonic scale; the keynote. (music) The triad built on the tonic note. (phonetics) A tonic element or letter; a vowel or a diphthong. ===== Translations ===== ==== Related terms ==== tonal center === Anagrams === ontic == French == === Etymology === Borrowed from English tonic, from tonic water. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /tɔ.nik/ Homophones: tonics, tonique, toniques === Noun === tonic m (plural tonics) drink made up mainly of cinchona tonic water === Further reading === “tonic”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 == Romanian == === Etymology === Borrowed from French tonique. === Noun === tonic n (plural tonici) tonic ==== Declension ====