Tonic

English Meaning

Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (Phon.), applied to, or distingshing, a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, such sounds, namely, the vowels and diphthongs, being so called by Dr. James Rush (1833) " from their forming the purest and most plastic material of intonation."

1. An agent, such as a medication, that restores or increases body tone.
2. An invigorating, refreshing, or restorative agent or influence.
3. See tonic water.
4. Boston See soft drink.
5. Music The first note of a diatonic scale; the keynote.
6. Linguistics A tonic accent.
7. Producing or stimulating physical, mental, or emotional vigor.
8. Physiology Of, relating to, or producing tone or tonicity in muscles or tissue: a tonic reflex.
9. Medicine Characterized by continuous tension or contraction of muscles: a tonic convulsion or spasm.
10. Music Of or based on the keynote.
11. Stressed, as a syllable; accented.