Tonic
WordNet
adjective
(1) Imparting vitality and energy
"The bracing mountain air"
(2) Used of syllables
"A tonic syllables carries the main stress in a word"
(3) Relating to or being the keynote of a major or minor scale
"Tonic harmony"
(4) Employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings of otherwise similar words
"Chinese is a tonal language"
(5) Of or relating to or producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue
"A tonic reflex"
"Tonic muscle contraction"
noun
(6) A medicine that strengthens and invigorates
(7) (music) the first note of a diatonic scale
(8) A sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring
"In New England they call sodas tonics"
(9) Lime- or lemon-flavored carbonated water containing quinine
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From Greek τονικός, form of tonos (to stretch). 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.
Adjective
- Restorative, curative or invigorating.
- The arrival of the new members had a tonic effect on the team.
Noun
- A drink intended to restore or invigorate.
- We used to brew a tonic from a particular kind of root.
- Tonic water.
- (Northeastern US) Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop.
- The first note of a scale.
- The triad built on the tonic note.