tonic definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

ton·ic [ tónnik ]

noun (plural ton·ics)

Definition:

1. beverages
Same as tonic water

2. regional beverages soft drink: a flavored and carbonated drink, served cold

3. something that lifts spirits: something that lifts the spirits or makes somebody feel better generally

4. medicine producing sense of well-being: a medicine that purports to make patients feel stronger, more energetic, and generally healthier

5. music first note of scale: the first note of a musical scale and the harmony built on this note

6. phonetics stressed syllable: the syllable that has the main stress in a word

adjective

Definition:

1. lifting spirits: lifting the spirits and creating a feeling of general well-being

2. boosting energy: designed or serving to boost energy and generally create a feeling of strength and health

3. physiology relating to muscle tone: relating to or affecting muscular tone or contraction

4. music relating to first musical note: relating to or based on the first note of a musical scale

5. phonetics of stressed syllable: relating to or forming the main stressed syllable in a word

6. linguistics
Same as tonetic

[Mid-17th century. Via French tonique< Greek tonikos "of stretching" < tonos "tension, tone"]

ton·i·cal·ly adverb

Regional History


	Tonic in the sense "soft drink" is an old Boston word that extended northward, westward, and southward into New England according to the Boston truck routes. Other regional synonyms include pop (Inland North and West), soda (Northeast), and cold drink (Lower South).