tonic
/ˈtɑ.nɪk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.39 in modern English
7
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Pertaining to tension, especially of the muscles.
adj
Restorative; curative; or invigorating.
adj
noun
Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop.
American usage; Dated; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Out in front and across the street, Doc noted half a dozen or so young men, not loitering or doing substances but poised and tonic, as if waiting for some standing order to take effect."
- "The arrival of the new members had a tonic effect on the team."
- "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)."
- "We used to brew a tonic from a particular kind of root."
- "Charlie ain't no Nazi / She likes to wear her leather boots / 'Cause it's exciting for the veterans / And it's a tonic for the troops."
- "'You're a tonic, Dee,' she said. 'And a real friend. Thanks.'"
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *tónos Proto-Hellenic *tónos Ancient Greek τόνος (tónos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek τονῐκός (tonĭkós) English tonic 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.
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈtɑ.nɪk/
- British English: /ˈtɒnɪk/
Usage
- Uncountable
- American usage
- Dated
- Archaic
Inflected Forms
more tonic (comparative)
most tonic (superlative)
tonick (alternative, obsolete)
tonics (plural)
tonics (present, singular)
tonicking (participle, present)
tonicked (participle, past)
tonicked (past)