Etymology 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.
1
Medicine, Natural sciences, Pathology, Physical sciences, Physics, Sciences Pertaining to tension, especially of the muscles.
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.2009, Thomas Pynchon, Inherent Vice, Vintage, published 2010, page 316:
2
Restorative; curative; or invigorating.
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).
Etymology 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.
1
Usually A substance with medicinal properties intended to restore or invigorate.
We used to brew a tonic from a particular kind of root.
2
Usually Tonic water.
3
US, Dated, Usually Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop.
Eastern Massachusetts
4
Figuratively, Usually Someone or something that revitalises or reinvigorates.
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.1978, “She's So Modern”, performed by The Boomtown Rats:
'You're a tonic, Dee,' she said. 'And a real friend. Thanks.'2011, Cathy Kelly, She's the One:
1 more example
The result is the perfect tonic for Newcastle, coming at the end of a week that saw the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool on Monday and an injury to Shola Ameobi during Wednesday's defeat at Fulham.2011 February 5, Paul Fletcher, “Newcastle 4 - 4 Arsenal”, in BBC:
Etymology 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.
When all signs of effusion, dulness, pain, œgophony, and cough had disappeared he was dieted, stimulated, and tonicked.1887, Medical Press and Circular, volume 94, page 461:
The Persians, as a nation, were first to discover that fish were edible. The time is fixed at about 3000 B.C. This was their secret for some centuries—until the Assyrians learned about the elegance of fish for tonicking the brain.1939, Frank Grant Menke, Encyclopedia of Sports, page 17:
tonic
adj
Etymology From tone + -ic.
1
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music Pertaining to or based upon the first note of a diatonic scale.
2
Pertaining to the accent or stress in a word or in speech.
3
Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (phonetics, dated) being or relating to a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, i.e. a vowel or diphthong.