tonic
tonic Lexical Profile
tonic Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A carbonated beverage flavored with quinine, typically used as a mixer in alcoholic cocktails.
"He sat on the patio enjoying a cold glass of gin and tonic garnished with a lime wedge."
A medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigor or well-being; by extension, anything that restores or invigorates.
"After a grueling winter, the warm sunshine acted as a much-needed tonic for her mood."
The first note or degree of a diatonic musical scale, serving as the tonal center or resolution point of a key.
"The composition built immense harmonic tension before finally resolving to the tonic in the final measure."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday contexts, 'tonic' strongly implies invigoration or restoration of health, whereas in neurological and physiological contexts (e.g., 'tonic seizure'), it strictly refers to continuous, rigid muscular contraction.
• Rhymes for tonic
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 16th century (in the musical sense): from French 'tonique', from Greek 'tonikos', from 'tonos' meaning 'tension, tone'. The medicinal sense denoting an invigorating substance dates from the late 18th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.